A new approach to improve antifouling property of PVDF membrane using in situ polymerization of PAA functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles

Evaluation of the antifouling and photocatalytic properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) plasma-grafted poly(acrylic acid) membrane with self-assembled TiO2

Immobilization of TiO(2) is a promising approach that produces antifouling and photocatalytic membranes that could help advance wastewater treatment and re-use processes. In this study, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was plasma-grafted on commercial poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) to introduce functional groups on the membrane surface that can support the nanoparticles. It was found that plasma treatment at 100 W for 120 s followed by liquid grafting with 70% aqueous AA at 60°C for 2h maximized the number of TiO(2) binding sites. Membrane hydrophilicity was tremendously enhanced by the self-assembly of TiO(2), following a direct proportionality to TiO(2) loading. The membrane with 0.5% TiO(2) loading maintained the highest pure water flux and the best protein antifouling property. UV irradiation triggered the photodegradation of strongly bound foulants, but at least 1.5% TiO(2) and 30 min cumulative irradiation were necessary to completely recover the membrane's original performance. The TiO(2)-modified membranes removed 30-42% of 50mg/l aqueous Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye. The fabricated membranes demonstrate huge potential for use in membrane reactors with high hydrophilicity, fouling mitigation, and photocatalytic capability.

PMMA Modified PVDF Hollow Fiber Ultrafiltration Membranes

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by wet spinning method using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as pore-foaming agent and mixture of dimethyl formamide (DMF)/methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as solvent. The effects of PVDF, PMMA, PVP, and solvent ratios in the spinning solution on the permeation properties of the formed membranes were studied. The results showed that the performance of the membrane is the best with a pure water flux of 117 L/m2•h and rejection rate of 82% to bovine serum albumin (BSA), when the concentrations of PVDF, PMMA, PVP, DMF and MEK are 17, 3, 3, 60 and 17 wt%, respectively.