Fabrication of nanohybrid polyetherimide/graphene oxide membranes: biofuel dehydration by pervaporation process

Polyetherimide (PEI) flat-sheet membranes (PM) as a nanohybrid membrane were fabricated through dry-thermal (PMDT) and thermal treatment (PMTT) methods using graphene oxide (GO) as a nanofiller. Characterization of PM membranes was carried out using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The PMDT membrane cross-section showed a sponge-like structure resulting in higher permeability and lower separation factor. The SEM image (cross-section) of the PMTT membrane showed a dense structure with higher separation factor and lower permeation flux than those of the PMDT membrane. Incorporation of GO into the PEI matrix significantly reduced the contact angle surface hydrophobicity of the membranes. The nanohybrid membrane exhibited an exceptional pervaporation performance at a concentration of 95 wt% n-butanol. The permeation flux of PMDT and PMTT membranes were 1100.26 and 642.69 kg m−2 h−1 and their separation factors were 89.39 and 96.96, respectively. The GO incorporation and novel fabrication techniques resulted in excellent separation performance.