Fabrication of GO-Ag/PVDF/F127 modified membrane IPA coagulation bath for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Abstract

The silver nanoparticles were prepared in the membrane by employing graphene oxide as a carrier. The structure and properties of GO-Ag/PVDF/F127 modified membrane were regulated by using isopropanol (IPA) as the coagulation bath based on the principle of non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The modified membrane prepared by the 50% IPA coagulation bath owned a well-distributed spongy-like pore morphology. Meanwhile, the modified membrane showed excellent hydrophilicity, permeability and optimum mechanical properties. In summary, the membrane MPGOAg-50% possessed the better performance with pure water flux of 87.10 L⋅m−2⋅h−1, the BSA rejection rate of 94.7% and the contact angle of 70°. 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) was a typical contaminant in the wastewater, its reduction product 4-aminophenol (4-AP) played a vital role in the preparation of some antipyretic and analgesic drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the performance of modified membranes controlled by coagulation bath was investigated by filtration reduction of 4-nitrophenol. The calculated reaction rate constant was higher than that reported under the same conditions. The modified membrane controlled by the IPA coagulation bath hold a reduction efficiency of 85% and remained stable for at least 1 h.