Comparative study of graphene oxide and copper oxide nanoparticle as surface modifiers in microfiltration membranes and adsorbents for efficient removal of textile dyes from contaminated water

Despite technological development, the textile industry still generates effluents with a high content of emerging contaminants, which are harmful to the environment. Conventional wastewater treatment methods struggle to remove emerging contaminants, necessitating advanced techniques. One promising solution is the modification of membranes and adsorption methods. The same modifying agents were used to modify the surface of microfiltration membranes and to create an adsorbent, allowing a comparison of the two processes in water treatment contaminated with dyes. Copper oxide nanoparticles were produced through green synthesis, and polyethersulfone microfiltration membranes were surface-modified using graphene oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles via a pressure-assisted method. Among the tested membranes, MF_GO1.0 + CuO3.0 showed the best performance, demonstrating a synergistic effect between the modifying agents, efficiently removing 97.69 % of Levafix Blue CA dye and recovering 84.88 % of the flux. It also exhibited outstanding removal rates (>99 %) for other textile dyes, such as Solophenyl Blue and Reactive Black 5. Membrane characterization revealed a decrease in contact angle for membranes modified with CuO and GO-CuO, rendering them more hydrophilic and improving permeability. Scanning Electron Microscopy depicted a compacted membrane, characteristic of graphene oxide, with nanoparticles on the surface. Chemical stability tests, conducted at neutral pH for 7 days, demonstrated no significant variation in permeability and contaminant removal. Although adsorption had limited effectiveness in removing the Levafix Blue CA dye, it provided valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms. Comparing membrane modification with adsorption, membranes displayed more efficiency in dye removal and showed enhanced antifouling properties. These results indicate the potential of modified membranes in treating dye-containing wastewater. As dye production increases, these innovative technologies offer promising solutions to reduce the environmental impact of textile industry effluents. By employing such advanced methods, we can work towards safeguarding our water resources and ecosystems from the harmful effects of textile wastewater pollution