Preparation and characterization of a novel hydrophilic poly(vinylidene fluoride) filtration membrane incorporated with Zn–Al layered double hydroxides

• Zn–Al LDH was synthesized and incorporated into PVDF UF membranes.
• The physical and chemical properties of membranes were characterized in detail.
• Hybrid membranes showed improved hydrophilicity and water permeability.
• The presence of LDH enhanced the antifouling ability of membrane.

Hybrid poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) embedded with Zn–Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) membranes were fabricated via phase inversion. The physical and chemical properties of the novel polymer membranes were characterized using different characterizations. Filtration and antifouling experiments were performed to examine the water permeability, rejection and antifouling ability of the prepared membranes. Results showed that membrane morphology was greatly changed due to the addition of LDH and that the hybrid membrane exhibited greatly improved surface hydrophilicity, water permeability and antifouling property, with contact angle decreased from 76.5° to 69.0° and pure water (PW) flux increased from 8.01 L/m2 h bar to 48.95 L/m2 h bar.

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