Advancing wastewater treatment: a review on the cutting-edge graphene oxide-enhanced polymeric membranes

Abstract Access to clean water remains a critical global challenge, underscoring the urgent need for efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective wastewater treatment technologies. Among emerging solutions, graphene-based membranes, particularly those incorporating graphene oxide (GO), have attracted growing attention due to their ultrathin structure, tunable molecular sieving abilities, and oxygen-containing functional groups that enhance adsorption and filtration capabilities. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and scientometric analysis of research on GO-enhanced polymeric membranes for advanced wastewater treatment from 2015 to 2025. Key trends in publications and citations are identified, along with leading countries, institutions, authors, and emerging research themes in the field. The review also explores the underlying mechanisms of contaminant removal, including GO mixed matrix membrane (MMMs) synthesis methods, characterization techniques, fabrication techniques, and performance limitations such as fouling and structural instability in aqueous environments. Finally, emerging directions are discussed, including the integration of novel nanomaterials and GO functionalization strategies to improve membrane performance and long-term stability. This study offers valuable insights to guide future research and industrial applications of GO-based MMMs in sustainable water treatment technologies.