Preparation, performances of PVDF/ZnO hybrid membranes and their applications in the removal of copper ions

- A novel PVDF/ZnO hybrid membrane with adsorption activity was fabricated.
- ZnO nanoparticles incorporated into the inner pores of PVDF.
- Adsorption capacity of hybrid membrane was 9 times than that of pure PVDF films.
- Hybrid membrane present improved hydrophilicity, permeability and antifouling property.

ZnO hybridized Polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF/ZnO) membranes were successfully prepared by two different methods. One method was immersing the pretreated PVDF films in the ZnO suspensions (method A), and the other was blending ZnO nanoparticles with PVDF solution and then casting films (method B). The structure of these PVDF/ZnO hybrid membranes were characterized by SEM, XRD and ATR-IR, and the performances of hybrid membranes were determined through the measurements of contact angle, pure water flux and static adsorption toward BSA. The results showed that the ZnO nanoparticles were incorporated into the pores and onto the surface of PVDF, and more uniform hybrid structure was obtained by method B. The ATR-IR spectra revealed that the weak physical interaction played role in the construction of hybrid membranes. Compared with the pristine PVDF films, the hydrophilicity, permeability and antifouling performance of hybrid membranes were improved. And more notably, the hybrid membranes also showed better adsorption and desorption properties for copper ions, which was rarely reported.

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