Fabrication of multifunctional TiO2-fly ash/polyurethane nanocomposite membrane via electrospinning

In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of multifunctional composite polyurethane (PU) membrane from a sol gel system containing TiO2 and fly ash (FA) nanoparticles (NPs). The adsorptive property of FA and photocatalytic property of TiO2 can introduce different functionalities on PU mat for water purification. Different types of PU nanofiber mats were prepared by varying the composition of NPs in blend solution. FE-SEM, TEM, TGA, XRD, UV-visible spectra, and water contact angle measurement confirmed the incorporation of FA and TiO2 NPs on/into PU nanofibrous mat. The influence of NPs on PU membrane was evaluated from the adsorption of heavy metals (Hg, Pb), removal of dyes (methylene blue), antibacterial activity, and water flux. The improvement of all these activities is attributed to the adsorptive property of FA and photocatalytic/hydrophilic property of TiO2 NPs. Therefore, as-synthesized composite membrane can be utilized as an economically friendly filter media for water purification. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.