Progress of water desalination applications based on wettability and surface characteristics of graphene and graphene oxide: A review

Abstract

Seawater desalination techniques have been continuously developed to tackle the water scarcity problems. This review article provides comprehensive discussion on the progress of water desalination applications that utilize the unique wettability and surface characteristics of graphene and graphene oxides, which are being employed as ultrafiltration membranes in either a monolayer or multilayer nanosheet configuration. The interaction of water with graphene materials and their wetting characteristics as well as the controlling factors are examined.  Particularly, the designs and roles of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanopores and nanochannels are discussed. A focus is also made on recent developments of graphene membrane with respect to water flow, salt rejection and durability.