Photocatalytic TiO2 films and membranes for the development of efficient wastewater treatment and reuse systems

Abstract

In order to develop efficient photocatalytic TiO 2 films and membranes for application in water and wastewater treatment and reuse systems, there is a great need to tailor-design the structural properties of TiO 2 material and enhance its photocatalytic activity. Through a simple sol–gel route, employing self-assembled surfactant molecules as pore directing agents along with acetic acid-based sol–gel route, we have fabricated nanostructured crystalline TiO 2 thin films and TiO 2/Al 2O 3 composite membranes with simultaneous photocatalytic, disinfection, separation, and anti-biofouling properties. The highly porous TiO 2 material exhibited high specific surface area and porosity, narrow pore size distribution, homogeneity without cracks and pinholes, active anatase crystal phase, and small crystallite size. These TiO 2 materials were highly efficient in the decomposition of methylene blue dye and creatinine, destruction of biological toxins (microcystin-LR), and inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms ( Escherichia coli). Moreover, the photocatalytic TiO 2 membranes exhibited not only high water permeability and sharp polyethylene glycol retention but also less adsorption fouling tendency. Here, we report results on the synthesis, characterization, and environmental application and implication of photocatalytic TiO 2 films and membranes.