Developing a robust photocatalytic and antifouling performance of PVDF membrane using spinel NiFe2O4/GO photocatalyst for efficient industrial dye wastewater treatment

Abstract

Photocatalytic nanohybrid polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane incorporated by nickel ferrite/ graphene oxide (NiFe2O4/GO) photocatalyst is fabricated in this study. To prevent the fast electron/hole recombination rate in NiFe2O4 photocatalyst, GO nanoparticle was added to synthesize the NiFe2O4/GO photocatalyst. The fabricated membranes were tested for industrial dye wastewater treatment, which mainly contained Remazol red RB-133 as the colorant. The modified membranes were synthesized by adapting the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS-blending) technique, and their filtration performance were assessed both in the conventional dark filtration condition and under ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Scanning electron microscopy – Energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX) results reveal that the PVDF/NiFe2O4/GO membrane features a smooth, defect-free surface with a well-built finger-like structure, as well as a well-distributed NiFe2O4/GO distribution on the membrane's surface. Some new hydrophilic groups are recorded on PVDF/NiFe2O4/GO by the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis such as -OH, Fe-O, Ni-O, and CO and some crystallite sites of NiFe2O4 and GO, which is helpful to improve the surface hydrophilicity. The permeability, pollutant removal, membrane stability, photodegradation ability, and antifouling activity of the modified membranes in the filtration process under UV light exposure were significantly improved. This membrane removed 83.22% of COD and 92.38% of dye when it was performed under UV light irradiation. The presence of photocatalytic activity on the membranes’ surface also improves the antifouling activity by converting the irreversible fouling into the reversible fouling, hence, the modified membranes have a better performance stability than the other membranes.