Zamisa, MKRay, Suprakas SOjijo, Vincent OSeadira,TSadiku, RKumar, NeerajMadirisha, M2026-04-232026-04-232026-042632-959XDOI 10.1088/2632-959X/ae5077http://hdl.handle.net/10204/14797This study investigates the development and properties of the thin film nanocomposite (TFNC) desalination membranes based on electrospun recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) substrate layers. However, achieving a defect-free thin film active layer onto the highly porous electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs) remains challenging. The ENM was thus modified with graphene oxide/molybdenum disulfide (GO/MoS2) to develop the defect-free TFNC membrane. Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were intercalated with MoS2 and crosslinked polymer connectors. These as-prepared laminate layers were deposited onto the rPET nanofibers to function as an interlayer or transition layer between the electrospun substrate and the thin film active layer. The resultant rPET-GO/MoS2 membrane was assessed in terms of physicochemical properties and performance. The hydrophilicity was greatly enhanced by the GO/MoS2 interlayer, from 120° to 67°. The XRD supplied the evidence of successful intercalation of MoS2 within the GO sheets, thus resulting in the tightening of the interlayer space within the sheets of the GO-MoS2 membranes, from 0.86 nm for GO to 0.79 nm for GO/MoS2. The nanochannel spacing of the GO-MoS2 membranes was thus capable of retaining the salt ions during desalination. The properties of the tailored membrane, therefore, highlight the potential of electrospun membranes and 2D nanomaterials in offering sustainable materials towards ensuring continuous and economical water supply in emerging water supply alternatives such as desalination.FulltextenThin film nanocompositeTFNCNanomaterialsRecycled polyethylene terephthalaterPETArticleN/A