Fabrication of hybrid membranes by different techniques

Polyetherimide (PEI) flat-sheet nanohybrid membranes were fabricated through Dry-Thermal (DT) and Thermal-Treatment (TT) methods using nanoplatelet graphene oxide (GO) as nano-filler. The effects of GO incorporation and fabrication techniques were investigated on the membrane microstructures. The effects of GO embedment and fabrication method on the membrane physical properties were investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle. The impregnate membrane with GO exhibited significantly higher hydrophilicity. The SEM images revealed has a sponge-like structure for the membrane prepared via DT method while TT membrane possessed a dense structure.