Influence of photo-induced superhydrophilicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the anti-fouling performance of ultrafiltration membranes

► TiO2 nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of composite ultrafiltration membrane and irradiated by ultraviolet light. ► The modified membrane leads to creation of photocatalytic property with an increasing hydrophilicity. ► The deposition of nanoparticles was carried out through coordinance bonds with OH functional groups of the membrane polymer. ► The flux of the modified membrane was increased to a large extent.