Hybrid material of graphene oxide and silica nanoparticles for water purification and other membrane applications
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | CHALMERS TEKNISKA HÖGSKOLA AKTIEBOLAG - Institutionen för teknisk fysik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | June 2015 - February 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Strategic innovation program SIO Grafen |
Purpose and goal
The aim of the project was development of a method to build a hybrid-material from graphene oxide (GO) and silica nanoparticles, into a multilayer structure, and to initiate evaluation for different applications, especially water cleaning. The project was very successful with regard to building the hybrid material (publication in preparation). Water cleaning evaluation was not done due to time/money constraints. Preliminary results towards separation applications (proteins) were successful.
Results and expected effects
We have developed a method to build nano-membranes of alternating layers of graphene oxide (GO) and nanoparticles. Commercial GO and silica nanoparticles from Akzo Nobel were used as building stones, with a small polymer as ´glue´. Water cleaning ability was not evaluated (time/money constraints). A positive test was done on protein binding to the structures (pointing towards potential separation applications). The method has potential also for several other applications. A spin off result was a method to measure nanoporosity of thin layers.
Approach and implementation
The project had 5 partners (Chalmers coordinator), Akzo Nobel (silica expertise), (ENWA, water cleaning), Biolin Scientific and Insplorion (analytical methods; QCM-D and NPS). The main goal was to build GO-nanoSiO2 hybrid material membranes layer-by-layer. Alternating GO and SiO2 layers were deposited with a polymer as binder. Each step was followed by the analytical methods and by SEM post analysis. The geometrical parameters could be controlled by the fabrication parameters.