Preparation and characterization of TiO2 embedded PVC ultrafiltration membranes

In this study, polyvinyl chloride membranes embedded with TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared via non-solvent induced phase separation method. The results of FESEM showed that all the membranes had sponge-like and asymmetric structure and the size of sponge-like as well as surface pores increased as the content of TiO2 increased. Backscattered FESEM results showed that nanoparticles were dispersed uniformly throughout the membranes even though agglomeration was observed for 2.0 wt. % TiO2 embedded PVC membranes. Contact angle results revealed that hydrophilicity of membranes increased with increasing TiO2 content. Moreover, water flux of membranes increased with increasing TiO2 content as a result of increase in hydrophilicity. The results of abrasion test with silicon carbide slurry showed that weight loss of composite membranes were higher than that of neat PVC membrane meaning that incorporation of TiO2 had a negative effect on the abrasion resistance of PVC/TiO2 membranes. Fouling properties of membranes were investigated by filtration of BSA solution and the results showed that flux recovery of composite membranes improved due to the presence of hydrophilic TiO2 even though irreversible portion of fouling increased with increasing TiO2 content. However, rejection of BSA decreased as the content of TiO2 increased. (C) 2016 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.