Porous Graphene Membranes for Solute Separation via Reverse Osmosis and Electrodialysis

Abstract

Graphene, the thinnest material known to science, is a very promising candidate for separation membranes with ultra-high molecular permeance. It has been widely demonstrated that nanoporous graphene membranes have a great potential for solute separation. In this chapter, the recent advances on the nanoporous graphene membranes for the application in water purification via reverse osmosis and electrodialysis are both reviewed. The separation mechanisms and fabrication methods of this atomically thick membrane are especially discussed by highlighting the representative theoretical and experimental works. Currently, the studies on the porous graphene membranes via electrodialysis are relatively limited comparing to those of reverse osmosis. It is expected that more and more researchers are attracted to this frontier research field to make the two-dimensional membranes for water purification a reality by overcoming the challenges faced currently.