Clean Energy Using Graphene Oxide

 


Separating critical materials like lithium and magnesium is important to servicing the demands for clean energy. Graphene oxide (GO) can separate ions from a mixed state based on size.

In the past, GO membranes were  used for size based separations. Currently, researchers are using UV light reduction to expand the uses of GO.

The researchers built a relatively simple method that uses no harsh chemicals. They found that by reducing GO with UV light alters the oxygen function groups on the surface of GO.  The results show that a chromatography separation is at play, versus just size.

Larger cations, like calcium, move through the GO membrane much faster than the singly charged cations like lithium. It was published in the Chemical Engineering Journal last month. 

The small lithium ions permeate slower through the UV-rGO membranes than larger cations. This results in a 3-4 fold improvement to the separation selectivity. 

UV exposure removed hydroxyl (-OH) groups from the basal planes of GO. This caused enhanced interactions of metal cations located at the edges of the GO. 

The end result of the experiment was a lower ratio of free lithium in solution to calcium cations. 

More research on Graphene Oxide is necessary to continue supporting the green energy movement. 

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