High permeability of ultrafiltration membranes based on electrospun PVDF modified by nanosized zeolite hybrid membrane scaffolds under low pressure

High permeability and antifouling property under low pressure are two essential properties for the commercial filtration membranes. In this work, a novel hybrid ultrafiltration (UF) scaffold with high permeability obtained by blending poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with nanosized zeolite particles were fabricated by an electrospinning process. Addition of nanosized zeolite particles was effective to improve the mechanical properties of the zeolite/PVDF UF scaffold. Chitosan thin films were chosen to advance water flux performance and antifouling properties by promoting wetting property and increasing porosity of the zeolite/PVDF UF scaffolds under low pressure. These hybrid UF membranes have a high potential in water purification field. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.