Graphene and its derivatives based membranes for application towards desalination

Abstract

This chapter aims to apprise the reader about the advancement in graphene-based membranes towards desalination approaches. Desalination is a crucial technique in alleviating the water shortage crisis that is plaguing many parts of the world currently. Polymeric membranes have been in use till now for desalination in reverse osmosis driven processes. But they suffer from low permeability and low durability, and are also less chemically resistant. Graphene can in many ways overcome these drawbacks, owing to its superior properties, primary among them is its atomic scale thickness. In this Chapter, we will put forward the various ways in which graphene has been utilized in realizing next generation desalination membranes. This chapter will also expound upon the various roadblocks and challenges that need to be addressed before graphene and its derivatives based membranes can well and truly become the staple of the desalination industry. Finally, a summary and outlook of the current state of affairs in graphene-based membranes for desalination is also presented.