Characterization and regeneration of Pd/Fe nanoparticles immobilized in modified PVDF membrane

Pd/Fe nanoparticles being used for catalytic dechlorination were immobilized in hydrophilically modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) microfiltration membrane for the purpose of decreasing the aggregation of Pd/Fe nanoparticles. Effective preservation and regeneration methods of Pd/Fe-based PVDF membrane were also developed. The pristine and modified membranes were systematically characterized in terms of morphologies (SEM), particle distribution (TEM), surface metal composition (XPS), crystal structure (XRD), thermal stability (TGA), and hydrophilicity (water contact angle). Catalytic dechlorination activities of Pd/Fe nanoparticle-based hydrophilized and unhydrophilized PVDF membranes were comparatively studied by using trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) as target pollutant. The results indicate that hydrophilization process facilitated the even dispersion of nanoparticles inside the pores of PVDF membrane. The investigations on reaction kinetics indicate that the catalytic dechlorination rate of TCAA with Pd/Fe-based hydrophilized PVDF membrane was 6.8 times greater than that with Pd/Fe-based unhydrophilized PVDF membrane. (C) 2012 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.