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Nano SiO 2 and TiO 2 embedded polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene fluoride ultrafiltration membranes: Improvement in flux and antifouling properties
Author(s) -
Polisetti Veerababu,
Ray Paramita
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.49606
Subject(s) - polyvinylidene fluoride , membrane , polyacrylonitrile , biofouling , chemical engineering , materials science , ultrafiltration (renal) , phase inversion , nanoparticle , polymer , fluoride , polymer chemistry , composite material , chromatography , chemistry , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes are widely used in drinking water and wastewater applications. These membranes are prone to fouling and membrane efficiency decreases with time under constant operation. Significant improvements/modifications are necessary to apply these polymers as sustainable membrane materials. In this study, PVDF and PAN UF membranes were modified through incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) namely SiO 2 and TiO 2 . PVDF and PAN UF membranes were prepared by phase inversion method from polymer solutions having dispersed SiO 2 and TiO 2 NPs in it. Membrane surface hydrophilicity, charge, roughness, and morphology were studied. Equilibrium water content and molecular weight cut‐off of the membranes were also measured. Addition of NPs increased membrane surface hydrophilicity, equilibrium water content, and surface potential. NPs modified membranes exhibited better membrane flux (35–79% higher) and antifouling properties (flux recovery ratio values 28–41% higher) than the virgin membranes.