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[Display omitted] • Interfacial salt effect is closely related to ion diffusion rate in the near-interface boundary layer. • Diffusion rate of target ions is subject to the concentration of coexisting salt ions. • Low concentration of coexisting salt ions can improve the diffusion rate of target ions and its separation. • Oil film thickness ultimately affects the diffusion rate of target ions and separation. • A quantitative correlation of the diffusion rate with the concentration of coexisting salt ions was established. Specific ion effects are known to influence the interfacial behavior of ions in the aqueous phase and thus affect their extraction and separation. There are many studies on enhanced extraction and separation of the target ions based on the specific ion effects. A microscopic level understanding of the competitive mass transfer and selectivity of ions at the interface between heterogeneous phases is crucial importance for the precise control of numerous chemical reaction and separation processes. The conventional salt effect (i.e., background coexisting ions promoting the mass transfer of the target ions) are only observed at higher coexisting ion concentrations. However, the present work reveals an interesting phenomenon: the adsorption enrichment and competitive hydration of coexisting salt cations at the liquid–liquid interface can significantly influence the mass transfer rate of the target rare earth ions in the near-interface boundary layer. Notably, such a distinct interfacial salt effect can promote the separation between coexisting and target ions at lower coexisting ion concentrations, and it cannot be explained by the traditional theory for the salt effect. A thin-layer organic oil film extraction system was employed here as a simplified model experiment to investigate this new interfacial salt effect on the non-equilibrium extraction and separation of target rare earth ions. The results demonstrated that the diffusion rate of the target ions (Er3+) is subject to the local concentration gradient of coexisting salt cations (Mg2+) in the near-interface boundary layer. At the lower bulk concentrations, the Mg2+ ions enriched at the interface would compete for water molecules around the hydration shell of target Er3+ ions, resulting in the dehydration of Er3+ ions. Therefore, an enhanced diffusion rate of Er3+ ions and their adsorption affinity towards the interface were observed. However, at a higher bulk concentration of Mg2+ ions, the diffusion resistance of Er3+ ions increased due to the competitive adsorption and hydration of Mg2+ ions at the interface. The thickness of the organic oil film layer also plays an important role in the diffusion of Er3+ ions. In particular, a thinner oil layer makes it easier to perceive the interfacial salt effect, which enhances the separation between Er3+ and Mg2+ compared to the case of a thicker oil layer. A quantitative correlation between the diffusion rate of Er3+ ions and the concentration of coexisting Mg2+ ions was established to describe the interfacial salt effect. This work highlights the microscopic nature of the salt effect induced by the competitive adsorption kinetics of coexisting ions in the near-interface boundary layer on promoting the extraction and separation of target metal ions. The results will help the development of new approaches to control the separation selectivity and enhance the mass transfer of target metal ions in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraction and separation of V(V) and Cr(VI) in the alkaline solution obtained from the Sub-molten Salt Method to treat the high chromium vanadium slags has been a thorny problem in the past decades. In this work, a new liquid-liquid solvent extraction strategy was proposed by using acidified primary amine N1923 (denoted as A-N1923) to separate V(V) from alkaline solution containing Cr(VI) and Al(III). It was indicated that co-extraction of Cr(VI) and Al(III) with V(V) can be avoided with the addition of trisodium citrate previously into the feed solutions. The influence from various factors, including the concentration of trisodium citrate, the initial aqueous pH value, concentration of A-N1923 in the organic phase, diluents in the organic phase, and the initial concentration ratio of V(V) to Cr(VI) in alkaline solutions, on the separation of V(V), Cr(VI) and Al(III) were investigated. The extraction loading capacity of V(V) in the organic phase could reach 6.67 g/L at 298 K. Al(III) in the organic phase can be stripped selectively using 0.18 mol/L trisodium citrate solution, and then V(V) can be recovered by 1.0 mol/L NaNO 3 solutions. The regeneration and reusability of the organic phases after stripping were discussed. The present work highlights a novel approach to separate and recover V(V) from alkaline leaching solution containing Cr(VI) and Al(III), especially being applicable for those strongly alkaline solution produced by treating the high chromium vanadium slags using the Sub-molten Salt Method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A three-liquid-phase extraction approach for removal of Al, Fe, Si from rare earths. [•] Al, Fe and Si enriched in PEG middle phase and rare earths in bottom phase of TLPS. [•] Rare earths concentrated in bottom aqueous phase can be group separation by TLPS. [•] A new strategy for group separation of multiple target metals by TLPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Controlling flow patterns in microchannel can promote the separation of metal ions. • Evolution of flow patterns can be controlled by adjusting hydrodynamic parameters. • Separation of Er(III)/Al(III) ions in target flow pattern significantly intensified. Control of flow patterns and its evolution behavior in microchannel is crucial for microfluidic technology to achieve mass transfer intensification in the micro-scale and selective separation of target ions. In the present work, we found that the non-equilibrium extraction and selective separation behaviors of target metal ions from other co-existing background ions have a close relationship with the change of hydrodynamic parameters of the organic and aqueous two phases and the evolution of flow patterns in microchannel. Taking the separation of Er(III) and Al(III) ions in microchannel as a model system, it is revealed that the transition of the flow patterns from parallel flow to slug flow might originate from the decrease of the linear velocity of two phases flow, the increase of viscosity and the decrease of the interfacial tension between the two phases. The change of those hydrodynamic parameters would result in an obvious increase in specific interfacial areas between the two phases and a decrease in wall film thickness of the slug flow. A higher Capillary number corresponds to a larger specific interfacial area and a higher surface renewal rate between the two phases. Therefore, an intensified separation of Er(III) and Al(III) ions can be attributed to the change of those hydrodynamic parameters in microchannel. The present work highlights a novel approach by controlling the flow patterns of aqueous and organic two phases in microchannel for controllable selective separation of target metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present work reports an interesting phenomena that the addition of hydrophobic ionic liquid, [C4mim]PF6, into the oil–water two phase system of diisopentyl sulfide (S201)–nonane organic solutions and hydrochloric acid aqueous solutions containing Pt (IV), Pd (II) and Rh (III) chloric-complexing anions could induce the formation of a stable liquid–liquid–liquid three layered liquids coexisting medium for extraction and one-step separation of platinum, palladium and rhodium. The influences of H+ and Cl− concentrations in equilibrating aqueous solutions, the initial Pt (IV) concentration, the volume ratio of added [C4mim][PF6] to hydrochloric acid aqueous solution and the different salt ions in equilibrating aqueous solutions on the three-liquid-phase partitioning behaviors of three platinum metal ions were evaluated. The transferring of into the [C4mim]PF6 bottom phase in TLPS was proposed to be according with an anion exchange between and in ionic liquid. Therefore, the separated ionic liquid phase is not the solvent of organic extractants, but provides an extended separation capacity than the literature reported ionic liquid based two-phase extraction systems. The present work indicated that this ionic liquid based three-liquid system can be used to separate multi-metal coexisting solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three-liquid-phase extraction is a new technique to separate Pt(IV), Pd(II) and Rh(III) from their hydrochloric acid leaching solutions. The selection of phase-forming components is crucial to induce a stable three-liquid-phase system and the controllable three-phase partitioning of Pt(IV), Pd(II) and Rh(III). In present work, various phase-forming salts with different cations and anions, amphiphilic block copolymers with different molecular weight and PPO content, organic extractants with different metal-selective functional groups were investigated to discuss their influence on three-phase mass transfer behaviors of three platinum metals. Experimental results indicated that the formation of three-layered coexisting liquid phases in system of S201/nonane-EOPO2500-Na2SO4-H2O resulted in three-liquid-phase selective partitioning of Pt(IV), Pd(II) and Rh(III). Most of Pt(IV) and Pd(II) were extracted into EOPO-rich phase with the two-phase splitting of EOPO2500-Na2SO4 mixtures, whereas Rh(III) remained in bottom salt aqueous phase. Addition of S201/nonane promoted the separation between Pd(II) and Pt(IV), and most of Pd(II) transferred from EOPO-rich phase into S201 organic top phase of TLPS. Under the optimal conditions, 98.5% of Pd(II), 90.8% of Pt(IV) and 87.1% of Rh(III) were enriched into the top organic, middle polymer and bottom salt aqueous phases, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper proposed a novel sugaring-out assisted three-liquid-phase system (TLPS) of diisopentyl sulfide (S201)–acetonitrile–glucose–water to extract and separate platinum, palladium and rhodium from their hydrochloric acid solution. Experimental results demonstrated that Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Rh(III) could be separated in one-step extraction process, respectively into the S201 organic top phase, sugaring-out acetonitrile-rich middle phase and aqueous bottom phase of the TLPS. The influences of different phase-forming agents, glucose concentration, HCl concentration in equilibrating aqueous phase and the initial volume ratio of added acetonitrile to aqueous glucose solution on partitions of platinum-group metal (PGM) ions were discussed. It was found that the three-liquid-phase partition behaviors of Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Rh(III) had a close relation with the phase-forming behavior of TLPS. The recovery of Pt and Pd were investigated. Sugaring-out assisted TLPS exhibited obvious advantages over the traditional salting-out systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Salting-out induced three-liquid-phase system (TLPS) of diisopentyl sulfide (S201)−acetonitrile−NaCl−water was explored to extract and separate platinum, palladium and rhodium with one-step method. The influences of phase-forming behaviors of TLPS on partition of platinum-group metal (PGM) ions were investigated by changing the phase-forming salt and its concentration, HCl concentration in equilibrating salt aqueous phases and the initial volume ratio of acetonitrile to aqueous NaCl solution. Experimental results indicated Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Rh(III) were selectively concentrated into the S201 organic top phase, acetonitrile-rich middle phase and NaCl aqueous bottom phase respectively. The three-liquid-phase partition of platinum metal ions occurred with the salting-out induced two-phase splitting of acetonitrile–water mixtures. A micro-mechanism model is proposed to explain the influence of salting-out induced phase splitting behavior of three-liquid-phase system on mass transfer of PGM ions. Appearance of microscopic molecular aggregates accounts for the micro-phase enrichment of platinum metal ions. The competition of two opposite processes, salting-out induced dehydration of acetonitrile molecules in aqueous solutions while strong re-hydration of salting-out acetonitrile molecules in separated acetonitrile-rich phase, plays an important role in affecting the phase-forming behaviors and three-liquid-phase mass transfer of different platinum metal ions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel technique, gas-assisted three-liquid-phase extraction (GATE), was proposed to improve three-liquid-phase separation of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) and o-nitrophenol (o-NP) from wastewater. The partition behavior of p-NP and o-NP into a three-liquid-phase system composed of hexane–PEG2000–(NH4)2SO4–H2O at the aid of gas bubbling was discussed. It was demonstrated that the process of gas bubbling was effective for the mass transfer of p-NP and o-NP into PEG phase and hexane phase, respectively. Influences of various parameters including the phase-forming salt concentrations, gas flow rate, gas bubbling time, initial volume of hexane and PEG phase on distribution behavior of p-NP and o-NP were investigated. Under the optimal conditions for GATE, the removal ratio of p-NP and o-NP from wastewater could reach 81% and 90%, respectively. While the mass fraction of p-NP into PEG phase and o-NP into hexane phase arrived at 75% and 74%, respectively. The distribution ratio and concentration factor were all higher than conventional three-liquid-phase extraction system. During GATE processes, the dispersed PEG and hexane in (NH4)2SO4 aqueous solution can be captured by ascending gas streams. GATE is demonstrated to be an effective method for the simultaneously extraction and separation of two or more organic chemicals in one-step''s three-liquid-phase extraction, and also provides a technique to prevent loss of dispersed polymers and organic solvents in aqueous phase in extraction process for treatment of the phenolic wastewater. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A new strategy three-liquid-phase partitioning for stripping of heavy rare earths. • Separation of adjacent heavy rare earths by regulating phase separation behaviors. • MD simulations for studying the partitioning mechanism on molecular scale. The difficulties confronted during the extraction and separation of heavy rare earths (HREs) were low separation factors and high concentration of acid solution consumption. A new strategy for extraction separation and stripping of HREs by phase separation behaviors of the three liquid phases coexisting system consisting of Cyanex272/PEG 2000/(NH 4) 2 SO 4 -H 2 O was investigated. It was found that the separation factors could be adjusted by phase-forming polymer PEG 2000 and electrolyte salt (NH 4) 2 SO 4 concentrations, aqueous pH, as well as water-soluble complexing agent DTPA. The stripping of HREs from organic phase and PEG-rich phase were easily achieved via regulation of phase-forming salt concentration instead of utilizing acid solution with high concentration. It was confirmed that the main driving force for transfer of HREs was a special hydrophobic interaction between RE(III)-DTPA complexes and PEG molecular chains occurring on oxygen atoms of C-O-C segments in PEG molecular chains by FTIR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations on the molecular scale. The present work highlights a new understanding for microscopic molecular mechanism of rare earths partitioning into three liquid layers of three-liquid-phase system so as to be stripped from the loaded organic phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• BSOLM extraction promotes extraction and separation of rare-earth ions. • An enhanced interfacial salt effect occurs during BSOLM extraction. • Extraction and separation of Er(III) enhanced at low concentrations of coexisting salts. • Specific interfacial salt effects of Mg(II), Fe(III), Al(III) cations are discussed. Understanding the essence of specific salt effect on mass transfer of metal ions acrossing liquid–liquid interface is of crucial importance to intensify extraction and separation of target metal ions. In present work, the effect from various typical coexisting electrolyte salt cations, Mg(II), Al(III), Fe(III) cations, in the in-situ leaching solutions of ion-adsorption type rare earth ores on extraction and separation of heavy rare earths (Er(III) ions as a representative) by our previously suggested new method, bubble-supported organic liquid membrane (BSOLM) extraction, was investigated. It is found that extraction and separation of low concentration Er(III) ions can be significantly enhanced, even when the concentrations of Mg(II), Al(III) and Fe(III) cations are low enough. It cannot be explained by the traditional salt effect theory. Experiments revealed that BSOLM extraction results in an enhanced interfacial salt effect due to its essence of mass transfer only occurring on the surface of thin-layer organic extractant liquid membrane. It is benefit for intensifying the interfacial competitive adsorption of coexisting salt cations. The competitive hydration of those salt cations at interface promotes the extraction of low concentration Er(III) ions, whereas their competitive adsorption is unfavorable of the separation of Er(III). The present work highlights the microscopic nature of specific interfacial effect of various coexisting electrolyte salt cations on extraction of target rare-earth ions. It is benefit for development of new methods to intensify extraction and selective separation of low concentration rare-earth ions from the electrolyte salt in-situ leaching solutions of ion-adsorption type rare earth ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new strategy of soft membrane based molecular recognition was proposed. • Recognition of anions on surface of hydrochloric acid is controllable by shear flow. • Hydration shells of easily hydrated anions are easily recognized. • Shear flow has an influence on recognition of the hydration configuration of anions. • Molecular recognition of anions depends on the hydration ability of anions. Understanding the self-assembly behavior of macrocyclic molecules under shear flow and its impact on the mass transfer of target ions near the liquid–liquid interface is of great importance in host-guest chemistry and mordern separation processes. In this work, a new strategy based on soft-film molecular recognition (SF-MRT) was proposed to investigate the effect of aqueous shear flow on specific recognition of octahedral RhCl 6 3-, octahedral PtCl 6 2-, and planar quadrilateral PdCl 4 2- anions with different hydration configurations using 18-crown-6 as an extractant spreaded on the surface of concentrated hydrochloric acid. Remarkably, the SF-MRT process achieved an extraction order of RhCl 6 3- > PdCl 4 2- > PtCl 6 2-, whereas the impregnated resin coated with a layer of oil film containing 18-crown-6 yielded a reverse extraction order of PtCl 6 2- > PdCl 4 2- > RhCl 6 3-. Experimental results demonstrated the functional group (-SO 3 Na+) present on the surface of the resin particles exhibits a preferential adsorption of H 3 O+ ions through the cation exchange mechanism, resulting in crown ether molecules only recognizing H 3 O+ ions, and subsequently facilitating the preferential extraction of PtCl 6 2- anions by 18-crown-6·H 3 O+ through the ionic association mechanism. However, during the SF-MRT process, the hydrophilic and flexible cavity formed by the ether oxygen group (-O-) in crown ether molecules primarily recognizes the water molecules in the hydration shell surrounding platinum metal anions due to the lower concentration of H 3 O+ dissociated on the surface of concentrated hydrochloric acid. Compared to the sparse water molecules around the hydrated PtCl 6 2- anions, the dense water molecules around the hydrated RhCl 6 3- anions are more easily recognized. The directional and flexible hydrogen bond network formed between the crown ether molecules and platinum metal anions through the "water bridges" interaction is more amenable to be controlled by the laminar shear flow beneath the thin-layer extractant oil film. This discovery lays the foundation for the development of new flexible and controllable molecular recognition methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • HCl only dissociates to the solvated H 3 O+...Cl− on the surface of hydrochloric acid. • Protonation of A336 promotes the migration of H 3 O+ towards the interface. • Extraction of easily hydrated PdCl 4 2− ions enhanced due to the migration of H 3 O+. • Enrichment of Cl− ions at the interface inhibits the extraction of PtCl 6 2−. • Reverse migration of H 3 O+ and Cl− promotes the separation of Pt (IV) and Pd (II). The separation process in hydrochloric acid environments is determined by the interfacial chemistry of the acid. However, the surface species of concentrated acids are complex. The effect of dominant species on the surface of concentrated acids and their dissociation behavior on interfacial separation has been the focus of academic debate. The extraction and separation of two typical anions, PdCl 4 2− and PtCl 6 2−, with different hydration characters on the surface of concentrated hydrochloric acid were investigated by thin layer extraction (TLX). A new phenomenon was discovered that the effect of hydrochloric acid concentration, extractant concentration, organic film thickness, and shear flow rate on the extraction of easily hydrated PdCl 4 2− anions is greater than that of hardly hydrated PtCl 6 2−. However, during the conventional SX process, the phenomenon cannot be observed due to the continuous dispersion and aggregation of oil droplets. It found that HCl molecules only dissociate into solvated H 3 O+...Cl− ion pairs on the surface of concentrated hydrochloric acid, but not H 3 O+ and Cl− ions respectively. The concentration of dissociated H 3 O+ ions at the interface is lower than that in the bulk phase. The protonation of the A336 molecule promotes the migration of dissociated H 3 O+ ions in the bulk phase towards the interface. Because the PdCl 4 2− anions are more likely to be hydrated than PtCl 6 2− anions and combine with H 3 O+ ions, the orderly migration of H 3 O+ ions in the laminar boundary layer towards the interface drives the mass transfer of easily hydrated PdCl 4 2− anions. The anion exchange between PdCl 4 2− and Cl− ions associated with the A336 molecules results in a higher concentration of Cl− ions enriched at the interface than that in the bulk phase. The migration of easily hydrated Cl− ions towards the bulk phase would drag the water molecules around PtCl 6 2− anions and therefore inhibit the mass transfer of PtCl 6 2− anions. The orderly reverse migration of H 3 O+ and Cl− ions enhances the separation between easily hydrated PtCl 6 2− and hardly hydrated PdCl 4 2− anions. This study offers a new perspective on the dissociation of species on the surface of concentrated hydrochloric acid and its impact on separation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Separation coefficient of Pr3+/Nd3+ reaches higher than 8 under salting-out effect. • Salting-out effect is special multiple ion effect of salt anions and salt cations. • Special multiple ion effect is closely related with hydration behaviors of ions. • The hydration ability of salt cations affect Pr3+/Nd3+ arriving at interface. • Binding ability of anions with Pr3+/Nd3+ impact their interfacial absorption. The precise and controllable separation of Pr/Nd is the key to restricting the recovery of rare earths from neodymium magnets. However, it is difficult to realize the efficient separation by difference in thermodynamic properties of Pr3+ and Nd3+. In present work, the enhanced separation was achieved by a kinetic extraction strategy in systems with different salting-out agents. The comprehensive effect of multiple ions including salt anions and cations on enhanced separation of Pr3+/Nd3+ were investigated. Experimental results revealed that the separation coefficient can be higher than 8. The enhancing effect on separation of Pr3+/Nd3+ from different salting-out agents followed the order of NaCl < NaNO 3 < NaSCN < LiNO 3. It had a relationship with the salting-out effect, which could be influenced by the type and concentration of salting-out agents. In details, the salting-out effect was closely related with hydration of salt anions and cations. There are differences in the binding ability of rare earth ions to the above anions. The behaviors of rare earth ions arriving at the interface were different under specific ion effect of Li+ and Na+. By molecular dynamics simulations, it verified that the separation behaviors were related with diffusion mass transfer rate to the interface and the adsorption behaviors of rare earth ions at the interface. At the end, the recycling and recovery of lithium was suggested. This work provides a basis for developing a new method for efficient and green separation of adjacent rare earths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microstructured Fe-based oxides are developed for chemical looping CO 2 conversion. • Metal oxide-support interaction leads to an effect on surface morphology and particle size. • Zr supported oxygen carriers obtain maximum CO space–time yield with limited deactivation. • m-ZrO 2 acted as an active promoter in enhancing CO 2 conversion. • High HCl concentration and PVP addition are beneficial for enhancing redox reactivity. Iron-based oxygen carrier is a promising material for chemical looping CO 2 conversion into value-added chemicals but suffers easy reactivity deactivation. Using self-templated metal–organic framework (MOF) to develop efficient iron-based oxygen carriers is an effective way. However, the effect of metal oxide-support interaction and crystal structure on the reactivity of MOF-derived iron-based materials is still unclear. Toward that end, a series of iron-based oxygen carriers are synthesized via selecting Prussian blue (PB) with different coating types (Al 2 O 3 , MgO, MgAl 2 O 4 , ZrO 2) and synthesis environments (HCl concentration and PVP addition). Isothermal H 2 -CO 2 redox cycles and characterization techniques are applied to interpret the structure-performance relationship. PB-derived Fe-Zr oxygen carrier shows the best activity (0.9 and 24.1 mmo l [ O ] · s - 1 · kg F e 2 O 3 - 1 for reduction and oxidation rates) with limited deactivation. The superior performance originates from: (i) no inactive intermedia formation from interaction between Fe 2 O 3 and ZrO 2 ; (ii) the presence of m-ZrO 2 acted as an active promoter, comparing to other promoters and coprecipitated material, respectively. High HCl concentration and PVP addition are beneficial for enhancing redox reactivity. This study provides a useful way to optimize the interface and structure of MOF-derived oxygen carriers for improving redox activity and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes comprising graphene oxide (GO) were prepared. • 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane functionalized GO (APTS-GO) fillers were added to PES. • Better rejections for dyes and salts were obtained for the mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). • A 6-fold increase in water flux was achieved by adding pore formers along APTS-GO. • A reduction in fouling propensity is obtained for membranes containing APTS-GO. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) was incorporated into polyethersulfone (PES) membranes prepared by non-solvent induced phase inversion (NIPS). This resulted in increased rejections of protein bovine serum albumin (BSA), divalent salts (MgSO 4) and low-molecular weight dyes (sunset yellow and acridine orange). The structural properties of the prepared mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) as well as pure PES control membranes were investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), specific surface area, zeta potential and contact angle. It was found that the introduction of APTS-GO fillers in the polymer matrix made the membranes' application range move from ultrafiltration (UF) for pure PES membranes to nanofiltration (NF) for MMMs with a molecular weight cut off (MWCO) of ~1000 Da. Furthermore, membranes prepared by using only 0.1 wt% APTS-GO in combination with 1 wt% of pore-forming agent polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP 40 K) in the casting solution exhibited high water permeance values of 9.9 LMHbar (L m−2 h−1 bar−1) at low operating pressures of 4 bar and rejections of dyes and BSA > 95%. In addition, improved anti-fouling properties and tensile strength values were obtained when incorporating the functionalized GO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]