Stable supra-nanosheet graphene oxide membranes for ultrafast water transport.

Graphene oxide (GO) is regarded as a promising next-generation high-performance separation membrane material. However, the flexiblility of single-layer GO nanosheets usually results in membrane with poor stability under practical conditions. In this study, we present a facile strategy to rapidly convert single-layer nanosheet GO membranes into supra-nanosheet GO (sGO) membranes with a loose rigid structure by a confined gelling and crosslinking process. The optimized sGO membrane exhibits remarkable water permeance and retention capability. With additional tailor-made nanopores, the water permeance of the sGO membrane could reach 52.0 LMH/bar, representing 10-fold increase compared to pristine GO membrane. Furtheermore, this membrane demonstrates excellent pressure stability and unique elasticity, enhancing its lorg-term operational reliability and reversible recovery. Hence, this innovative strategy provides a platform for the facily construction of highly stable 2D membranes with enhanced water transport channels. A novel supra-nanosheet GO (sGO) membrane with a unique loose rigid structure was developed utilizing a strategy termed as 'confined gelling and crosslinking induced membrane rigidityʼ. This sGO structure, composed of GO nanosheets, can be easily obtained by in situ crosslinking single-layer GO nanosheets under a confined gelling state. The innovative strategy resulted in the membrane (X-sGO) showing excellent antibiotic desalting performance and compressive stability, with the flux of the membrane reaching 52.0 LMH/bar, which was 10-fold higher than that of the pristine GO membrane. As a result, this approach offers a platform for the facile construction of highly loose rigid 2D membranes. [Display omitted] • A novel supra-nanosheet GO membrane with unique loose rigid structure by a confined gelling and crosslinking induced strategy. • The mechanical feature of GO based membranes were measured with Nanoindentation, approving our design. • The loose NF membrane exhibits superior water flux and high antibiotic/salt selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]