Permselective graphene-based membranes and their applications in seawater desalination

Two-dimensional materials represented by graphene are widely used to fabricate membranes with nanopores or nanochannels and have shown great promise in the field of mass separation, especially seawater desalination. We review the research progress and applications of graphene and its derivatives, including single-layer graphene, nanoporous graphene and graphene oxide, in the field of seawater desalination. Based on an overview of the intrinsic properties of graphene, the permeability and selectivity of porous graphene membranes with one-dimensional nanopores, and lamellar graphene oxide membranes with two-dimensional nanochannels are first discussed. In addition, different preparation processes and their effects on the permselectivity of graphene-based membranes are compared. Methods for regulating the mechanism of the permselectivity of graphene-based membranes for various solutions are analyzed. The use of graphene-based membranes in seawater desalination and the existing limitations are summarized, and prospects for future developments of this research area are proposed.