Fabrication and Characterization of PVDF/PVP/TiO₂ Membrane for Ultrafiltration Process
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/jamst.v30n1.323Keywords:
Ultrafiltration membrane; PVDF; titanium dioxide; SEM, FTIRAbstract
The growing demand for high-quality water has intensified efforts to advance membrane-based purification technologies, with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) remaining a dominant material despite its intrinsic hydrophobicity and propensity for fouling. This study seeks to improve the functional performance of PVDF membranes through the incorporation of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles, introducing hydrophilic characteristics and promoting hydroxyl radical formation. PVDF/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) membranes were fabricated via the phase inversion method with TiO₂ loadings of 0%, 1%, and 2%, followed by comprehensive characterization using SEM, FTIR, contact angle measurements, and pure-water flux analysis. The incorporation of TiO₂ resulted in a notable enlargement of pore size from 370 nm (0% TiO₂) to 530 nm (1%) and 580 nm (2%). FTIR spectra further verified structural interactions between the PVDF matrix and TiO₂ nanoparticles. Membrane hydrophilicity improved substantially, as reflected in the reduction of contact angle from 78.6° to 67.1° and 43.8°, accompanied by a pronounced increase in water flux from 49 to 148 and 150 L/m²·h. These findings demonstrate that TiO₂ incorporation effectively optimizes the membrane’s pore architecture, surface wettability, and permeability, thereby reinforcing its suitability for enhancing PVDF-based ultrafiltration systems in water treatment applications.
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