Bio-inspired GO-Ag/PVDF/F127 membrane with improved anti-fouling for natural organic matter (NOM) resistance

•Co-polymer F127 and nanocomposite GO-Ag were employed to enhance surface property.•Fouling resistance assessment to natural organic matter (NOM) after alternatively backwash was conducted.•Modified membranes exhibited improved hydrophilicity and anti-fouling.

The modified membrane GO-Ag/PVDF was fabricated using co-polymer F127 and nanocomposite GO-Ag as functional additives via non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method for natural organic matter (NOM) resistance. Due to the introduction of co-polymer F127 and nanocomposite GO-Ag, resultant membranes exhibited excellent hydrophilicity and permeability. Meanwhile, the modified membrane surface showed better fouling resistance to natural organic matter (NOM) and bacteria compared with pristine membrane. In summary, the membrane MF1825 under the optional additive combination possessed the better performance with pure water flux of 82 L·m−2·h−1 and the contact angle of 62° comparing the membrane MF1800 with pure water flux of 14 L·m−2·h−1 and the contact angle of 80°. In addition, the membrane MF1825 had the improved fouling resistance order to NOM models: BSA > SA > HA, which indicated a potential application in natural organic water treatment.

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