The antibacterial PSF nanohybrid ultrafiltration membrane was fabricated based on the phase inversion method by incorporation of hydrophilic GO nanoparticles, as a pre-filter. The various weights of GO nanoparticles have been applied to the polymer matrix to improve the hydrophilicity, antifouling property and nitrate rejection of the prepared ultrafiltration membrane. OPEN-MX software has been employed to estimate the optimal percentage of GO embedding on the PSF polymer surface. Among the different percentage of GO loading, 0.75% wt. GO reveals the most stable state, which further affirmed in the experimental tests. The collections of analyzing methods have been employed for the comprehensive study of prepared membranes. The supplement of GO on the PSF surface has been inferred by FTIR, SEM, AFM, contact angle analyses. The GO-modified membranes showed amended antifouling performance on the basis of inhibition zone test and SEM study of bacterial suspension experiment. (C) 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.