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A facile TiO2/PVDF composite membrane synthesis and their application in water purification

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Abstract

In this work, we have demonstrated a facile wet chemical method to synthesise TiO2/PVDF composite membranes as alternative water purification method to traditional polymer-based membrane. For the first time, hydrothermally grown TiO2 nanofibers under alkali conditions were successfully inserted into PVDF membranes matrix. The structure, permeability and anti-fouling performance of as-prepared PVDF/TiO2 composite membranes were studied systematically. The TiO2/PVDF composite membranes prepared in this work promise great potential uses in water purification applications as microfiltration membranes due to its excellent physical/chemical resistance, anti-fouling and mechanical properties.

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Acknowledgments

Assistance by Dr. Changseok Han (University of Cincinnati) in SEM analysis was greatly appreciated. Advice from Mr. Steve Amos (University of Adelaide) during the preparation of algae water solution was also gratefully acknowledged. Dr. Wei Zhang would also like to thank Australian Endeavour Fellowship Program and University of South Australia Early Career Researcher Travel Grant Scheme for their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Water Management and Reuse, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia

    Wei Zhang, Yiming Zhang, Rong Fan & Rosmala Lewis

  2. Environmental Engineering and Science Program, School of Energy, Environmental, Biological and Medical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0012, USA

    Wei Zhang

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  1. Wei Zhang
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  2. Yiming Zhang
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  3. Rong Fan
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  4. Rosmala Lewis
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Correspondence to Wei Zhang.

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Zhang, W., Zhang, Y., Fan, R. et al. A facile TiO2/PVDF composite membrane synthesis and their application in water purification. J Nanopart Res 18, 31 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-3281-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-3281-1

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