PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND HEAVY- METAL (Mn2+) REMOVAL EFFICIENCY OF POLYVINYLDIENE FLUORIDE MEMBRANES COATED WITH GRAPHENE OXIDE AND CHITOSAN

Abstract

In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane coated with graphene oxide (GO) and chitosan
(CS) was fabricated with the aim of being used as a filter to remove Mn2+ in water. PVDF membrane coated GO
and CS formed three layers, including: the first layer is electrospun PVDF membrane, the second layer is the
layer of GO particles sprayed on the surface of PVDF membrane, and the third layer is a thin CS film on top of
GO particles. The PVDF fiber membrane contributes to the mechanical strength of the filter while GO and CS act
as components capable of absorbing Mn2+. In addition, the CS layer also increases the hydrophilicity of the
membrane, thereby increasing the water permeability of the membrane. The properties of the fabricated
membrane were analyzed by SEM, FT-IR, and Raman methods. The PVDF membrane coated with GO and CS
can remove over 80% of Mn2+ in an aqueous solution. This membrane also significantly reduced the
concentration of Mn2+ in the real water sample taken in Hanoi after several filtration processes through the
membrances, suggesting the high applicability of PVDF membrane coated with GO and CS in practice.