Photocatalytic antifouling graphene oxide-mediated hierarchical filtration membranes with potential applications on water purification.

Graphene oxide-based filtration membranes with photocatalytic antifouling function have been successfully synthesized by a two-step method for the first time. First, graphene oxide particles composite sheets are prepared by decorating graphene oxide sheets with appropriate amount of TiO2 nanoparticles, which can be assembled into filtration membranes with suitable permeation and retention rates. Then, an additional TiO2 particle layer (P25) with strong photocatalysis activity is coated on these films by filtration, forming hierarchical structure membranes. The filtration properties of the as-obtained films are investigated by treating dye solution, and the results demonstrate that these membranes possess favorable photocatalytic antifouling function under UV light irradiation, which can maintain the clean films and their filtration properties, broadening the horizon for the vast use of these graphene-involved films in water purification.