Hydrophilic porous PVDF membrane embedded with BaTiO3 featuring controlled oxygen vacancies for piezocatalytic water cleaning

High-efficient and recyclable piezocatalysts are promising to utilize natural mechanical energy in piezocatalytic degradation for environmental purification. Herein, a new piezoelectric membrane with dual piezoelectric potentials was fabricated by embedding piezoelectric BaTiO3 nanocubes in piezoelectric PVDF polymeric film. In particular, the pre-modified controlled oxygen vacancies in BaTiO3 nanocubes (BTO-OVs) enhanced the adsorption and activation of dissolved oxygen in water, promoting the generation of reactive radicals. And the PVDF film embedded by BTO-OVs had boosted piezoelectric property and improved hydrophilicity and porosity after socking. Thus, the hydrophilic porous composite membrane (HPVDF/BTO-OVs) had efficient adsorption and piezocatalytic degradation of Bisphenol A in water under ultrasonic vibration and the removal efficiency is 14 times higher than that of pure PVDF film. In addition, the HPVDF/BTO-OVs membrane adhered on impeller can effectively remove BPA under 900 rpm stirring, which provided a promising material for water purification utilizing low-frequency mechanical energy from nature.

Automated summary

This study developed a high-efficient and recyclable piezocatalyst by utilizing natural mechanical energy for environmental purification. The new piezoelectric membrane with dual piezoelectric potentials demonstrated enhanced adsorption and activation of dissolved oxygen in water, leading to efficient removal of Bisphenol A. The membrane showed promising potential for water purification utilizing low-frequency mechanical energy.