Anti-biofouling organic-inorganic hybrid membrane for water treatment

Biofouling is a critical problem in membrane filtration processes. Herein, we report an anti-biofouling organic-inorganic hybrid membrane for water treatment. Antimicrobial drug (substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole) with functionalized silica were successfully incorporated into organic phase by sol-gel in aqueous media followed by formal cross-linking to achieve highly stable and anti-biofouling membrane. Structural features of these phosphonic acid functionalized hybrid membranes depended on silica content. Physicochemical properties of prepared membranes revealed their stable (thermal, mechanical, and chemical), chlorine tolerance and charged nature. The most suitable membrane (MO-6) exhibited better performance in comparison to reported membranes. Absence of any deterioration in membrane permeability after 30 days operation under E. coli broth solution, confirmed their anti-biofouling nature.