Tuneable interlayer spacing self-assembling on graphene oxide-framework membrane for enhance air dehumidification

Isothermal-based air dehumidification results in energy problems, low water vapour permeability and poor selectivity. Graphene oxide framework (GOF) membranes exhibit remarkable advantages in effective air dehumidification. In this work, different crosslinking agents, including glyoxal (GLX), oxalic acid (OXA) and ethylenediamine (EDA), were employed to tune the properties of GOF membranes through the casting knife technique. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared membranes were investigated by using various techniques. The 2D arrangement of GO-based membranes ensured the frictionless nano-channels with an efficient flow rate and storage of water along with chemical interaction while hydrophilic groups on the GO surface. However, crosslinking restricted the mobility between consecutive GO layers, and the free volume and pore size became tuneable in the crosslinking structure. Given its capacity for low energy-efficient air dehumidification, the GLX-cross-linked GO membrane exhibited an excellent selectivity value of 2.8 × 106, and the less energy-consuming stability performance lasted for 120 h. These results indicate that the GLX-cross-linked GO membrane is suitable for practical applications. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.