Effect of nanoparticle aggregation at low concentrations of TiO2 on the hydrophilicity, morphology, and fouling resistance of PES-TiO2 membranes

► The observed effects as result of EtOH addition and increase of TiO2 concentration were similar. ► Clusters size is affected by reduction of the dielectric constant of solution and by the depletion of the suspension field. ► Strong correlations are observed between the hydrophilicity and the permeability of manufactured membranes. ► EtOH addition is a suitable procedure for the membrane performance improvement.