Fabrication of antifouling two-dimensional MoS2 layered PVDF membrane: Experimental and density functional theory calculation

Two-dimensional MoS2 nanosheets were synthesized with the exfoliation method, and deposited on PVDF support to develop high-efficiency membranes for water treatment. A variety of analyses were performed on the nanosheets, including FESEM, FTIR, UV-Visible, XRD, and EDS. In addition, the bulk and nanosheet of MoS2 were theoretically investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The theoretical and experimental results demonstrate the successful formation of MoS2 nanosheets. Analyses related to flux and membrane fouling were carried out on MoS2/PVDF membranes with various contents of the coating layer; these analyses were supported by FESEM, EDS, water contact angle, AFM, and zeta potential measurements. The antifouling properties as well as the water flux in the modified samples have improved compared to the bare sample. This is primarily related to the increase in hydrophilic properties due to the addition of nanosheets. The modified membranes also show better performance when purifying dyes, BSA, and Na2SO4. Based on these results, we conclude that PVDF/MoS2 membranes provide excellent water purification performance.

Automated summary

In this study, two-dimensional MoS2 nanosheets were synthesized using the exfoliation method and deposited on PVDF support to develop efficient membranes for water treatment. Theoretical and experimental analyses showed that the addition of nanosheets improved the antifouling properties and water flux of the membranes, leading to better performance in purifying dyes, BSA, and Na2SO4.