Reduced graphene oxide–gold nanoparticle membrane for water purification

Abstract

The reduced graphene oxide–gold nanoparticle (rGO–Au NP) membranes are prepared by vacuum filtration method. The sizes of the Au NPs on the surface of the rGO are about 8–10 nm, and the lattice spacing of Au NPs is 0.0241 nm, which is relative to the cubic lattice of the gold crystal. The layer-by-layer stacking structure of rGO–Au NP membrane can be observed clearly by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The water flux of the rGO–Au NP membrane is as high as 204.1 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, and its retention for Rhodamine B (RhB) is as high as 99.79%.