TiO2-induced photo-cross-linked electrospun polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers microfiltration membranes

- TiO2 nanoparticles used as photo-catalyst to prepare photo-cross-linked PVA nanofibers.
- High performance PVA MF membranes prepared by electrospinning under UV irradiation.
- PVA nanofibers were cross-linked in the absence of components with photoactive groups.
- PVA/TiO2 nanofibers membranes showed excellent water resistance and mechanical properties.

The objective of this work is to investigate the feasibility of fabrication of photo-cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers membranes using citric acid as a cross-linking agent and TiO2 nanoparticles as a photo-catalyst in the absence of components with photoactive groups. The effects of TiO2 nanoparticles concentration and UV irradiation conditions on the surface properties, separation performance and anti-fouling properties of the membranes were studied. The results indicated that the TiO2 nanoparticles which were synthesized by a microwave hydrothermal method were successfully acted as a photo-catalyst absorbed the UV beam; consequently the cross-linking of the PVA matrix was occurred during the membrane preparation via the UV-irradiated electrospinning process. The obtained cross-linked PVA/TiO2 nanofibers membranes showed excellent water resistance and good mechanical properties. The PVA/TiO2 nanofibers membranes had higher permeation flux and oil rejection and lower fouling tendency in comparison to the neat PVA membrane.

264