Preparation of high-performance PVDF mixed matrix membranes incorporated with PVDF-g-PMMA copolymer and GO@SiO2 nanoparticles for dye rejection applications

In the textile industry, a high-efficiency dye removal is demanded to recycle wastewater. In this study, we decide to report the fabrication of high-performance mixed matrix nanofiltration PVDF membranes (MMMs) through the incorporation of different loading amounts of PVDF-g-PMMA copolymer and GO and GO@SiO2 (GS) nanoparticles separately and in coupled with each other. This copolymer was synthesized by grafting methyl methacrylate monomers onto polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) via the atom transfer radical polymerization method (ATRP), and graphene oxide@SiO2 was synthesized by using the modified hummer method, followed by the addition of SiO2 to the as-prepared GO nanosheets. The PVDF/PVDF-g-PMMA/Graphene Oxide@SiO2 membrane with optimum properties not only resulted in a high dye rejection of above 99% for Crystal Violet (CV) and Direct yellow (DY) dyes, but also led to a remarkable enhancement in water Flux from 1.96 L/m(2).h.bar, for the neat PVDF, to 2.5 L/m(2).h.bar, for the optimum PVDF/PVDF-g-PMMA/Graphene Oxide@SiO2 membrane, owing to the addition of the hydrophilic PVDF-g-PMMA copolymer and Graphene Oxide@SiO2 nanoparticles to the PVDF membrane matrix. Furthermore, the durability and antifouling abilities of the optimum membrane were also investigated, by which a significant performance was obtained.