IP Library › Granted Patent US 12691422
Granted Patent B2
US 12691422 · App. 17/618,203 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Filtration membrane and method of production thereof

Inventors: Xinyue Wen (Sydney, AU); Yi You (Sydney, AU); Xiaoheng Jin (Sydney, AU); Heriberto Bustamante (Parramatta, AU); Rakesh Joshi (Sydney, AU)
Assignees: Newsouth Innovations Pty Limited; Sydney Water Corporation
B01D71/0211B01D61/147B01D61/18B01D63/02B01D69/10B01D69/1213B01D71/20B01D71/34B01D71/36C02F1/444B01D2323/30B01D2325/12B01D2325/24C02F2101/30C02F2303/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12691422
App. No.
17/618,203
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A composite membrane is disclosed that comprises a porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or nitrocellulose membrane body. The membrane also comprises graphene oxide disposed on a surface of the membrane body. An array comprising two or more such composite membranes is also disclosed. A method of preparing the composite membrane is also disclosed. Further, a method of removing natural organic matter (NOM) from NOM-contaminated water, or water suspected of being contaminated with NOM, is disclosed.

Claims (13)

1 . A method of preparing a composite membrane, the method comprising:

(a) providing a porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane body;

(a1) contacting the porous PVDF membrane body with 1,5-pentanediol; and

(b) filtering a dispersion comprising graphene oxide through the PVDF membrane body such that a continuous phase of the dispersion passes through a surface of the membrane body, thereby depositing graphene oxide on the surface of the PVDF membrane body.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the continuous phase of the dispersion comprising graphene oxide comprises at least 50% v/v ethanol.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of treating the porous PVDF membrane body with a solvent to remove, completely or at least partially, any protective coating that may be present on the PVDF membrane body before step (al).

4 . The method according to claim 3 , comprising immersing the PVDF membrane body in the solvent for at least 2 hours to remove, completely or at least partially, any protective coating.

5 . The method according to claim 3 , comprising immersing the PVDF membrane body in the solvent for at least 12 hours to remove, completely or at least partially, any protective coating.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein step (al) comprises immersing the porous PVDF membrane body in 1,5-pentanediol.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein step (al) comprises rinsing the porous PVDF membrane body with 1,5-pentanediol.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein step (al) comprises contacting the porous PVDF membrane body with 1,5-pentanediol for 24 hours.

9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein step (al) comprises contacting the porous PVDF membrane body with 1,5-pentanediol for 48 hours.

10 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of removing 1,5-pentandiol after step (al) and before step (b).