Effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on antifouling and separation properties of PVDF/PAN blend membrane

Recently, membrane fouling has been one of the most important issues in the field of membrane technology. In this regard, TiO2 nanoparticles blended with polymeric membranes have shown to improve fouling performance. In this study, a new PVDF/PAN/TiO2 ultrafiltration blend membrane was prepared via phase inversion by dispersing TiO2 nanoparticles in the PVDF/PAN casting solutions. The effect of different concentrations of TiO2 on the characteristics of membranes (i.e., morphology, hydrophilicity, permeation performance, and antifouling properties) was investigated. Results of scanning electron microscopy analysis showed the finger-like pores and macrovoids decrease due to the presence of TiO2 in the membrane matrix. Concurrently, contact angles results showed that the membranes hydrophilicity was enhanced by the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles. Cross flow filtration of pure water flux and buffered bovine serum albumin solution were used to investigate performance of the membranes in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles. The experimental results indicated that PVDF/PAN/TiO2 membranes exhibited improved pure flux (398.5 L/m(2) h) as well as antifouling properties (flux recovery ratio 93.64%) due to the addition of 1 wt.% TiO2. However, greater concentrations of TiO2 decreased improvement of antifouling properties.