Functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite and method of producing the same

1. A functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite comprising a first component functionalized with amine and acid functional groups and a second component having at least a —COCI functional group that forms amide linkages with the first component to form a plurality of water channels within the thin film composite,

wherein the first component and the second component are each a graphene, functionalized with the respective functional group(s) and the graphene is selected from the group consisting of exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets, pristine graphene, graphene nanosheets, functionalized graphene and chemically converted graphene; and

wherein the second component is an acid chloride modified graphene.

2. The functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of water channels having an average diameter ranging from 0.001 to 100 nm.

3. The functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of water channels having an average diameter ranging from 0.01 to 20 nm.

4. A graphene-based thin film composite membrane comprising:

(a) a porous substrate; and

(b) a functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite comprising a first component functionalized with amine and acid functional groups and a second component having at least a —COCI functional group that forms amide linkages with the first component to form a plurality of water channels within the thin film composite,

wherein the first component and the second component are each a graphene, functionalized with the respective functional group(s) graphene nanoplatelets, pristine graphene, graphene nanosheets, functionalized graphene and chemically converted graphene; and

wherein the second component is an acid chloride modified graphene.

5. The graphene-based thin film composite membrane according to claim 4 , wherein the porous substrate is an ultrafiltration membrane or a microfiltration membrane fabricated from material selected from the group consisting of polysulfone, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, cellulose nitrate, polyethersulphone and poly acrylonitrile.

6. The graphene-based thin film composite membrane according to claim 4 , wherein the functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite having a thickness ranging from 2 nm to 2,000 nm.

7. The graphene-based thin film composite membrane according to claim 4 , wherein the graphene-based thin film composite membrane is a hollow fiber membrane.

8. The graphene-based thin film composite membrane according to claim 4 , wherein the graphene-based thin film composite membrane is a flat sheet membrane.

9. The graphene-based thin film composite membrane according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of water channels having an average diameter ranging from 0.001 nm to 100 nm.

10. The graphene-based thin film composite membrane according to claim 9 , wherein the plurality of water channels having an average diameter ranging from 0.01 nm to 20 nm.

11. A method of producing a functionalized single-layer graphene-based thin film composite membrane, the method comprising:

(i) pretreating the surface of a porous substrate membrane with a first component functionalized with amine and acid functional groups;

(ii) drying the pretreated porous substrate membrane; and

(ii) contacting the pretreated porous substrate membrane with a second component having at least a —COCl functional group that forms amide linkages with the first component deposited onto the surface of the porous substrate to form a thin film composite layer having a plurality of water channels on the said porous substrate,

wherein the first component and the second component are each a graphene, functionalized with the respective functional group(s), and the graphene is selected from the group consisting of exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets, pristine graphene, graphene nanosheets, functionalized graphene and chemically converted graphene; and

wherein the second component is an acid chloride modified graphene.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of contacting is carried out for 0.5 to 5 minutes.

13. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising:

removing excess first and second components from the porous substrate membrane; and

heat-curing the porous substrate membrane.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the excess first and second components are removed from the porous substrate membrane by washing the porous substrate membrane with ethanol.

15. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of water channels having an average diameter ranging from 0.001 nm to 100 nm.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the plurality of water channels having an average diameter ranging from 0.01 nm to 20 nm.