Improved antifouling properties of TiO₂/PVDF nanocomposite membranes in UV‐coupled ultrafiltration

Abstract

A polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was modified by dispersing titanium oxide (TiO 2 ) particles in a PVDF solution. PVDF flat-sheet membranes were prepared by a phase inversion method. This study investigates the potential low-fouling properties of these composite membranes during filtration, in darkness or under UV irradiation, of pure water and foulants representative of those found in membrane bioreactor processes: commercial bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein and real soluble extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The experimental results indicate that nanocomposite membrane has a structure with longer and larger macrovoid than neat PVDF membranes resulting in higher water flux performances. These higher flux performances were also due to an increase in surface hydrophilicity because of the presence of TiO 2 particles. Moreover, such membranes are less prone to adsorption by BSA and present self-cleaning ability under static irradiation. During filtration of BSA and EPS without UV irradiation, nanocomposite membranes presented a little flux decline and reached stabilization more rapidly in comparison with PVDF membranes. Moreover, simultaneous UV irradiation during ultrafiltration has a benefit effect only on nanocomposite membranes for which initial flux was increased. Hydrophilic properties of nanocomposite membranes lead to better retention performances of BSA and EPS, which are still improved under UV irradiation. Finally, nanocomposite membranes under UV irradiation presented the best flux recovery ratio confirming their antifouling property.

Optimized permeation and antifouling of PVDF hybrid ultrafiltration membranes: synergistic effect of dispersion and migration for fluorinated graphene oxide

“…With simple water rinsing, the permeation flux of membranes was recovered in different degrees but not completely reverted for all the membranes. This may be attributed to the BSA blocking membrane pores, which would be in agreement with the experience of Moghadam et al (2015). The BSA rejection properties of the pristine and hybrid membranes were also presented in Fig.…”

Metal Oxide Polymer Nanocomposites in Water Treatments

“…The results showed that the nanocomposite membrane exhibited improved hydrophilicity, dispersed well in the membrane medium, excellent antifouling performance, and water flux compared to the pure polyacrylic acid membranes. A polyvinylidene fluoride ultrafiltration membrane was improved through the phase inversion route by incorporating TiO 2 particles in a polyvinylidene fluoride solution [76]. The results showed that the nanocomposite membranes display a larger and longer macrovoid which resulted in an enhanced water flux activity due to the increased surface hydrophilicity.…”

Cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membranes reinforced by cellulose nanocrystals: Preparation and characterization

“…where d w is the water density (g/cm 3 ) and A m and L m are the membrane area (cm 2 ) and thickness (cm), respectively. The mean pore size of the membranes was defined as r m and calculated with the following equation:…”

“…The mechanical properties, including the tensile strength and elongation at break, of the membranes were determined under ambient conditions on a universal testing machine (SUNS CMT5504, China) at a speed of 20 mm/min. The wet membranes were first freeze-dried and then cut into rectangular shapes (15 3 100 mm 2 ). 21 The hydrophilicity of the prepared membranes was analyzed to test the contact angle between water and the membranes with contact angle measurements (G10, KR } USS, Germany).…”

“…However, the adsorption and precipitation of biomacromolecule on ultrafiltration membranes causes membrane fouling, which shortens the life of membrane modules and increases costs. [1][2][3] The prevention of membrane fouling has become a key issue that needs to be solved in the entire membrane process. Modifications of existing membrane materials, such as with plasma treatment, the atomic transfer radical polymerization technique, the synthesis of tailored polymers, and grafting, are frequently performed.…”