Evaluating the antibacterial properties of polypropylene membrane coated with graphene oxide (PP/GO)

Abstract

   Polypropylene (PP) membranes are coated with graphene oxide (GO) to enhance antibacterial properties and reduce surface scaling during domestic water filtration. GO is synthesized using an improved Hummers method and coated onto the PP membrane, which has been treated with UV radiation to increase adhesion. The results show that GO is evenly distributed across the membrane surface. Antibacterial testing using agar plates showed that the PP/GO membrane created a distinct inhibition zone with a diameter of 15.0 mm for E. coli and 15.3 mm for Salmonella sp., demonstrating that the GO coating effectively enhances bacterial removal in water and reduces surface scaling. Notably, fouling is a major cause of reduced throughput and lifespan of polymer membranes in water treatment. This research shows that PP/GO membranes not only have effective antibacterial properties but also significantly improve biofilm resistance, promising high practical application in household-scale water filtration.