Holistic mechanism of graphene oxide and MXene-based membrane for the desalination processes

Graphene oxide (GO) and MXene are innovative materials of 2D heterostructured nanomaterials that evolved and found many applications. Because of the outstanding porosity, high specific surface area (SSA), environmental friendliness, structural properties, and chemical, mechanical, and thermal stability of GO and MXene are extensively utilized to manufacture Li-batteries, hydrogen storage semiconductors and water desalination membranes. The GO-based composites are superior to MXene-based composites in desalinating the water because of their excellent SSA (2391 m2/g), high mechanical strength (470 GPa), and Electrical conductivity (4.12 × 10−5 S.cm−1) and thermal conductivity (2–1000 W/mk). Compared to GO, MXene has more inferiority regarding stability and recyclability. The highest salt rejection capacity of GO-CD-PA and MXene slit membranes are 99.9 % and > 90 %, respectively. Adding polymer-based nanomaterial can enhance the salt rejection performance chemical, thermal and mechanical stability of GO and MXene. Adding polymers also positively impacts the unit-fouling characteristics of GO and MXene. The current review paper compares the physical and chemical properties of GO and MXene that have a viable impact on the desalination of the GO and MXene-based membranes. The synthesizing route is another factor that significantly impacts the structure and desalination performance of GO and MXene. Both 2D materials synthesized via traditional techniques have poor desalination capability compared to those synthesized via advanced or modified synthesizing techniques. Membrane fouling is a critical issue to limit the applications of membranes, and ways to handle these issues are addressed. This paper briefly introduces the various synthesizing techniques of GO and MXene. The basic objective of the paper is to compare the desalination performance of GO and MXene. The challenges and prospects of GO and Mxene were discussed. The authors believe this contribution addresses important and recent problems related to the desalination industry.