A novel antifouling and antibacterial surface-functionalized PVDF ultrafiltration membrane via binding Ag/SiO₂nanocomposites

Abstract

BACKGROUND Membrane fouling is a main obstacle hindering wider application of membrane technologies, and can cause a decline in flux and increased energy consumption, and more frequent chemical or membrane replacement can increase the operating costs. Membrane fouling is mainly governed by organic fouling and biofouling. In recent years, the development of new materials has provided new methods and thoughts for the research and development of antifouling and antibacterial membranes. RESULTS In this study, to obtain both a highly hydrophilic, antifouling and antibacterial poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane, in situ formed silver (Ag) nanoparticles were immobilized with silica (SiO2) nanoparticles, and then chemically bound onto a PVDF ultrafiltration (UF) membrane surface. The surface modification processes were achieved through a remarkably facile and effective dip‐coating method. The impacts of Ag/SiO2 nanocomposites on membrane performance were investigated when applied in membrane filtration processes simultaneously. This membrane showed higher hydrophilicity and water permeation flux. The PVDF membrane exhibited antibacterial properties and displayed better anti‐fouling performance. CONCLUSION The superior performance of the Ag/SiO2‐PVDF membranes and this facile, effective and scalable modification method hold great promise for their practical application. This work would also be helpful for developing new antifouling and antibacterial membrane and related materials via a convenient and large‐scale method. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry

Concentration of whey protein from cheese whey effluent using ultrafiltration by combination of hydrophilic metal oxides and hydrophobic polymer

“…It clearly depicts that the membrane surface hydrophilic properties improved for the metal oxide embedded PES MMMs. The increased hydrophilic properties enhance the membrane surface free energy which ultimately results in the reduction of interaction between the membrane surface and cheese whey protein solution . The irreversible fouling percentage was less than 10% for TiO 2 ePES‐3 and ZrO 2 ePES‐4 MMMs.…”

A Comprehensive Review on Polymeric Nano-Composite Membranes for Water Treatment

“…Antibacterial activity of AgNPs is affected by its stability and size, dispersion of bare AgNPs in aqueous environment is prone to aggregation thus decreasing in stability and antibacterial property. Leaching can reduce membrane performance with time and can pose threats to marine life and human being during drinking water obtained from wastewater treatment/desalination process [122]. In order to overcome this issue, silver is blended with other nano-particles to form nano-composites which immobilize silver nanoparticles on membrane surface and enhance its antibacterial activity.…”

“…In order to overcome this issue, silver is blended with other nano-particles to form nano-composites which immobilize silver nanoparticles on membrane surface and enhance its antibacterial activity. Pan et al [122] modified PVDF membrane with Ag nanoparticles (possess antibacterial properties) and hydrophilic character of silica (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles using dip-coating method. Silver nanoparticles were immobilized with (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles on membrane surface.…”

Polypyrrole vapor phase polymerization on PVDF membrane surface for conductive membrane preparation and fouling mitigation

“…This study presented a new route to prepare higher conducting and hydrophilic PPy conductive membranes based on vapor‐phase polymerization, which can provide an approach to make sure of the stability of the membrane for practical and long‐term operation compared with liquid polymerization. We chose mainstream organic membrane material (PVDF membrane), which was an acceptable option to enhance the hydrophilicity or surface modification for membrane fouling mitigation . Vapor phase polymerization of the membrane was adopted due to its uniform distribution and stable properties relative to the liquid phase .…”