Fabrication of Ni–BTC/GO nanocomposite membrane for removing common pesticides and heavy metals

Abstract The development of advanced membrane materials is crucial for removing hazardous pollutants from contaminated water. In this study, a nickel-based metal–organic framework (Ni–BTC) was combined with graphene oxide (GO) to produce a Ni–BTC/GO nanocomposite with superior removal performance for heavy metals and pesticides. GO was synthesized using a rapid and environmentally friendly electrochemical exfoliation of graphite, followed by in situ growth of Ni–BTC on the GO scaffold through a solvothermal method. The oxygen-containing functional groups on GO interacted strongly with the nickel centers, leading to a homogeneous dispersion of Ni–BTC particles and the formation of a hierarchically porous hybrid structure. The successful formation of the composite was confirmed by XRD, FTIR, SEM, BET, Zeta potential, and TGA analyses. The Ni–BTC/GO composite membrane was evaluated using a dead‑end filtration cell. The membrane achieved removal efficiencies (rejection rates) of 92.4% for Pb 2+ , 89.7% for Cd 2+ , 87.5% for α‑cypermethrin, and 84.3% for acetamiprid, surpassing the performance of pure Ni–BTC and GO membranes. The material also retained its rejection performance after three cycles, indicating good reusability and structural stability. This study demonstrates the application of Ni–BTC/GO membranes for simultaneous rejection of heavy metals and pesticides, combining green GO synthesis with pressure‑driven filtration.