Novel self-cleaning PVDF/MoO3/ZnO/GO dual layer hollow fiber photocatalytic membrane with excellent photocatalytic performance of EDCs removal and energy storage capability

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have a wide range of detrimental effects on health, particularly on the human endocrine system. Efflux This research study involves the application of - molybdenum trioxide, zinc oxide and graphene oxide (MoO3/ZnO/GO) with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane as photocatalytic dual layer hollow fiber (DLHF) membrane as novel energy storage photocatalytic membrane towards efficient degradation of EDCs under visible light illumination. Ternary MoO3/ZnO/GO was synthesized using hydrothermal method and was embedded on the surface of dual layer hollow fiber membrane by dry-wet spinning method by varying the GO loading at 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 wt%. The results indicated that the 0.5 PVDF/MoO3/ZnO/GO DLHF photocatalytic membrane exhibited improved wettability, high porosity, good water flux, and exceptional EDCs removal, achieving removal rates of 73.08%, 75.80%, 73.65%, 100%, 95.57%, and 53.50% for 1 mg/L BPA, 1 μg/L BPA, 2 μg/L gabapentin, 1 μg/L diclofenac, 10 μg/L caffeine, and 6 μg/L nonylphenol, respectively after 240 min of light exposure. Besides, energy storage capability achieved 96.07% rejection of 1 mg/L BPA in dark condition while stability and reusability test showed 0.5 PVDF/MoO3/ZnO/GO DLHF achieve 74.02% regeneration efficiency after 3 consecutive cycles. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties of 0.5 PVDF/MoO3/ZnO/GO DLHF could assure a self-cleaning property and increase its lifetime. The PVDF/MoO3/ZnO/GO DLHF photocatalytic membrane served as a versatile 3-in-1 solution, enhancing photocatalytic degradation and rejection capabilities while also serving as a promising energy storage material with self-cleaning properties for removing EDCs from aquatic environments, regardless with or without the presence of light.