Challenges and prospects: graphene oxide-based materials for water remediation including metal ions and organic pollutants

Abstract

The remediation of polluted water via graphene oxide or derived materials has captivated the momentous attention of the scientific community over the past few years. The significant advantage of graphene oxide is its amphiphilic behaviour, making it an excellent candidate to interact chemically or physically with other polymeric matrices. Graphene oxide can be integrated into bio-based polymers such as proteins, chitosan, and lignocellulosic biomass, improving their sorption capacities. The homogeneous incorporation of graphene oxide into a polymeric matrix may substantially enhance its ability to eliminate organics and metal ion pollutants from water or wastewater. Graphene oxide can be used as a functionalized or composite material to enhance the adsorption capacity of the polymers for inorganic and organic contaminants. This review article provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms underlying water transport, as well as the antibacterial and oxidative properties of graphene oxide. In addition, the recent advancements in the use of graphene oxide and its derivatives for the remediation of water and wastewater, with a focus on the removal of metals, organic compounds, and microorganisms, have been critically evaluated. The article concludes by discussing the challenges and future prospects of employing graphene oxide-based materials on a larger scale for water remediation.