title: Evaluation of the antifouling and photocatalytic properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) plasma-grafted poly(acrylic acid) membrane with self-assembled TiO2.
abstract: Immobilization of TiO(2) is a promising approach that produces antifouling and photocatalytic membranes that could help advance wastewater treatment and re-use processes. In this study, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was plasma-grafted on commercial poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) to introduce functional groups on the membrane surface that can support the nanoparticles. It was found that plasma treatment at 100 W for 120 s followed by liquid grafting with 70% aqueous AA at 60°C for 2h maximized the number of TiO(2) binding sites. Membrane hydrophilicity was tremendously enhanced by the self-assembly of TiO(2), following a direct proportionality to TiO(2) loading. The membrane with 0.5% TiO(2) loading maintained the highest pure water flux and the best protein antifouling property. UV irradiation triggered the photodegradation of strongly bound foulants, but at least 1.5% TiO(2) and 30 min cumulative irradiation were necessary to completely recover the membrane's original performance. The TiO(2)-modified membranes removed 30-42% of 50mg/l aqueous Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye. The fabricated membranes demonstrate huge potential for use in membrane reactors with high hydrophilicity, fouling mitigation, and photocatalytic capability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioenvironmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, Taiwan. sjyou@cycu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Sheng-Jie
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Galilee Uy
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Semblante
authors.forename: Shao-Chung
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Rahul A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Damodar
authors.forename: Ta-Chin
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D009282:Naphthalenesulfonates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D010782:Photolysis; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D004396:Coloring Agents; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009282:Naphthalenesulfonates; D011145:Polyvinyls; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C518132:poly(vinylidene fluoride)-graft-poly(acrylic acid); C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; C063421:Remazol black B