Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/Ag@TiO2 nanocomposite membrane with enhanced fouling resistance and antibacterial performance

A novel Polyvinylidene fluoride/Ag decorated TiO2 (PVDF/Ag@TiO2) nanocomposite membrane was successfully prepared using APTES as a crosslinker via phase inversion technique. Synthesized Ag@TiO2 was characterized by Raman spectroscopy and XRD. Nanocomposite membranes were characterized by FTIR, SEM, AFM. Flux performance and flux recovery ratio of PVDF/Ag@TiO2 membranes revealed that the PVDF/Ag@TiO2 nanocomposite membrane exhibited a pure water flux up to 465.8 Lm-2h-1 which is three-fold higher than virgin membrane and a higher BSA rejection of 93.7% after rinsing with DI water followed by UV irradiation. Also, PVDF/Ag@TiO2 nanocomposite membrane shows a faster removal of E. coli. Overall, the incorporation of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix enhanced the antifouling and antibacterial properties of the nanocomposite membrane to a remarkable extent.

Automated summary

A novel PVDF/Ag@TiO2 nanocomposite membrane with high pure water flux and BSA rejection, as well as fast removal of E. coli, was successfully prepared. The incorporation of nanoparticles significantly enhanced the antifouling and antibacterial properties of the membrane.