Researchers associated with the University of Silesia in Katowice have developed a method for the production of special membranes of graphene oxide (or its derivatives) and cellulose, which will allow removal of traces of heavy metals from aqueous solution, and marking heavy metal ions in water or soil.

Due to this method, the membrane owns a high content of graphene oxide in relation to cellulose, which contributes to the increase of the adsorptive capacity of the material. Therefore, it can be used to remove larger amounts of heavy metal ions, such as cadmium, lead or cobalt from a water solution.

The authors of the already patented invention are the head of the Analytical Laboratory of Spectroscopic Methods, Prof. Rafał Sitko and PhD student of the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Silesia, MA Marcin Musielak.