Porous YxFeyZr1−x−yO2 coated TiO2 solid superacid particles/PVDF hybrid membranes with anti-fouling property

Abstract

In order to enhance the integrative capabilities of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane such as hydrophilic, anti-fouling and anti-compaction properties, porous YxFeyZr1−x−yO2 coated TiO2 solid superacid particles (SYFZr-Tis) were prepared via hydrolysis, calcinations and sulfation process, then doped into PVDF membranes to prepare SYFZr-Tis/PVDF hybrid membranes with micro reaction locations (MRLs) through a phase inversion method. SYFZr-Tis and SYFZr-Tis/PVDF hybrid membranes were characterized and analyzed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Contact angle and tensile strength of membranes were also tested. The anti-compaction and anti-fouling properties of membranes were studied through treating oily wastewater using membranes. The results show that the diameter of SYFZr-Tis is about 400nm, the thickness of YxFeyZr1−x−yO2 shell is about 50nm, ZrO2 of tetragonal phase is formed as evidenced by strong diffraction peaks at 2θ=30.15° and 2θ=34.90° in XRD patterns; hydrophilicity and tensile strength of SYFZr-Tis/PVDF hybrid membranes are also improved. Compared with PVDF membrane, SYFZr-Tis/PVDF hybrid membrane with better hydrophilic, anti-fouling and anti-compaction properties shows attractive oil retention rate and permeate flux. Therefore, SYFZr-Tis/PVDF hybrid membrane is suitable to treat oily wastewater.