Preparation and performance of PVDF-based nanocomposite membrane consisting of TiO2 nanofibers for organic pollutant decomposition in wastewater under UV irradiation

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite membrane consisting of electrospun titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanofibers (PVDF/e-TiO2) was prepared by hot pressing the as-spun TiO2 nanofibers onto PVDF flat sheet membrane. The TiO2 nanofibers act as a photocatalyst to decompose organic pollutants present in wastewater under UV irradiation, while PVDF membrane acts as a support. The hot press technique was carried out by applying the operating temperatures at 100 degrees C, 160 degrees C and 180 degrees C for 30 min. The nanocomposite membrane was characterized by FESEM, EDX, contact angle measurement, DSC, and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The FESEM images and EDX analysis showed good adhesion and dispersion of TiO2 nanofibers in PVDF membrane. The hot-pressed PVDF/e-TiO2 membrane at lower temperature (100 degrees C) (PVDF/e-TiO2-100) is more hydrophilic, higher pure water flux and has higher UV absorbance compared to the PVDF/e-TiO2-160 and PVDF/e-TiO2-180 membranes. The concentration of bisphenol A (BPA) in the feed solution was found to reduce with the degradation percentage of 63% to 85% after the PVDF/e-TiO2 nano composite membrane was treated with IN radiation. The results indicated that the introduction of TiO2 nanofibers in PVDF-based nanocomposite membrane via hot pressing indeed plays an important role towards enhancing the degradation and filtration of organic pollutants such as BPA. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.