Enhancement of retention and antifouling capability for PVDF UF membrane modified by nano-TiO 2 sol

Abstract

Novel PVDF/TiO 2 hybrid membranes were prepared by phase inversion process from a PVDF/DMAc/PVP/tetrabutyltitanate/water system. The membrane characteristics such as morphology, thermal properties, porosity, water contact angle, tensile strength and separability were investigated by a series of analytical methods including atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and zeta potential measurements. The performances and surface properties of hybrid and PVDF membranes were tested by the removal of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from aqueous solution, evaluated by using two dyes with different charge (congo red and methylene blue). Based on the experimental results, TiO2 nanoparticles of a quantum size (~8 nm or less) in anatase crystal structure were obtained from the controlled hydrolysis of tetrabutyltitanate. Besides, TiO 2 sol was introduced into polymer molecule for the hybrid membrane with less than 12 vol % TiO 2 sol to PVDF and contributed to a smooth surface and more apertures due to both the interaction and compatibility between polymer and TiO2 sol, to which the improvement in hydrophilicity, thermal stability, mechanical strength and antifouling ability is attributed. The observed rejections were optimized for PVDF/TiO 2 hybrid membrane with respect to PVDF membrane. In particular, the pure water permeation flux was increased from126.6 to166.7 L/m2•h for hybrid membrane with a relative flux of 80 % compared to 50 % of relative flux observed for PVDF membrane.