Preparation of PVDF–TiO2 mixed-matrix membrane and its evaluation on dye adsorption and UV-cleaning properties

In this study, the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)–Titanium dioxide (TiO2) mixed-matrix membranes were prepared via phase inversion technique. The properties of PVDF–TiO2 mixed-matrix membranes were characterized based on pore size distribution, membrane porosity, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and photocatalytic behavior. The hydrophilicity of the mixed-matrix membrane was enhanced and resulted in the improved pure water permeability (392.81 ± 10.93 l/m2 h bar) compared to that 76.99 ± 4.87 l/m2 h bar of the neat membrane. The neat and mixed-matrix membranes were further investigated in terms of filtration, adsorption and UV-cleaning properties based on methylene blue (MB) solution. Mixed-matrix membranes showed excellent removal efficiency (∼99%) when sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was introduced into the MB feed solution. The produced mixed-matrix membrane shows some slight photocatalytic properties improvement as FTIR results reviewed that the cleavage of CN bonding due to MB adsorption reduced more significantly with the presence of TiO2 NPs and ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. The UV-cleaning properties of the mixed-matrix membrane were further proved by the 100% flux recovery ratios (FRRs) for mixed-matrix membrane, suggesting that the embedded TiO2 NPs was photocatalytically active and able to degrade the adsorbed MB in the membrane.

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► The hydrophilicity of the mixed-matrix membrane was greatly enhanced.
► Both standard blocking and cake filtration mechanisms took part in the filtration.
► The mixed-matrix membrane has significant UV-cleaning properties.
► The mixed-matrix membrane could provide 100% flux recovery ratios.