{
  "abstract": "Addressing the persistent trade-off between permeability, selectivity, and fouling resistance remains a central challenge in advancing polymeric membranes for sustainable wastewater treatment. Here, we present a high-performance mixed- matrix membrane (MMM) platform that leverages interfacial coordination chemistry between binary magnetite ( Fe 3 O 4 ) and graphene oxide (GO) nanostructures to reconstruct the internal microarchitecture of a hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. By co-assembling Fe 2 + / Fe 3 + metallic centres with oxygenated GO domains, the nanohybrid suppresses nanoscale agglomeration and constructs continuous low-tortuosity fluid transport channels. Systematic characterisation (FTIR, 1 H NMR, SEM–EDX, XRD, and Zeta potential) confirmed enhanced interfacial surface dynamics, tuned surface charge, and increased hydrophilicity. Compared to the pristine PVA control, which suffered from severe fouling (73.2% total fouling ratio; 26.8% flux recovery ratio (FRR)) and modest performance (57.2 L ⋅ m − 2 ⋅ h − 1 pure water flux (PWF); 52.5% methylene blue (MB) rejection), the optimised 0.6 wt% Fe 3 O 4 / GO (PVA-F0.6/G0.6) membrane effectively overcomes conventional performance trade-offs. It achieved a high porosity of 73.6%, an elevated PWF of 85.1 L ⋅ m − 2 ⋅ h − 1 , and a 90.1% MB rejection efficiency, alongside exceptional antifouling durability marked by a 94.0% FRR and an ultra-low irreversible fouling resistance of just 6.0%. This coordinated nanohybrid design offers a robust, scalable strategy for engineering next-generation, antifouling polymeric membranes for advanced water purification.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana",
    "Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana",
    "Department of Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi, Ghana; Corresponding author."
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Wilhemina Frazer Maisie"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Paul Osei"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Stephanie Asantewaa Brenya-Biney"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Elikplim Nyabi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Sampson Kofi Kyei"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Francis Opoku"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Eric Selorm Agorku"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/69jpb3w6d70zv.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100560",
  "fulltext_url": "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949823626003156",
  "id": "69jpb3w6d70zv",
  "issns": [
    "2949-8236"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100560",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "GE1-350"
    ],
    [
      "lcc",
      "T"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2312|Membrane Separation Technologies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223083795",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-30",
  "publisher": "Elsevier",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/69jpb3w6d70zv.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T13:43:35Z",
      "native_id": "8e2d1dd44d5146e3b557c644cf7c6fc9",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100560"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "earth",
      "origin": "openalex:2312|Membrane Separation Technologies",
      "subfield": "hydrology-soils"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Enhanced antifouling performance of polyvinyl alcohol membranes via magnetite-graphene oxide nanocomposite modification",
  "title_text": "Enhanced antifouling performance of polyvinyl alcohol membranes via magnetite-graphene oxide nanocomposite modification",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T13:43:35Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/69jpb3w6d70zv",
  "venue": "Next Sustainability",
  "versions": []
}