PVDF ultrafiltration membranes with superior antibacterial and self-cleaning properties by embedding quaternary ammonium functionalized MWNTs

• Main Authors: YAN Xi, HUANG Yuanwei, LANG Wanzhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academic Journals Center of Shanghai Normal University 2020-04-01
• Series: Journal of Shanghai Normal University (Natural Sciences)
• Subjects: polyvinylidene fluoride(pvdf); multiwalled carbon nanotubes(mwnts); antibacterial; antifouling; self-cleaning
• Online Access: http://qktg.shnu.edu.cn/zrb/shsfqkszrb/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx?file_no=20200202

2-Dimethylaminoethyl chloride hydrochloride(DCH), a precursor of quaternary ammoniumsalt, was grafted onto oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes(O-MWNTs)by epichlorohydrin. The obtained quaternary ammonium functionalized MWNTs(N⁺-MWNTs) were added into casting solution to prepare polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF) hybrid ultrafiltration membranes(PVDF/N⁺-MWNTs). Field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM)was used to observe the morphology. The results demonstrated that the surface roughness and hydrophilicity of PVDF/N⁺-MWNTs hybrid membrane were obviously improved.Besides, in the ultrafiltration-regeneration cycles with bovine serum albumin(BSA)as model biofoulant, the pure water permeation was improved from 110.5×10^-5 to 197.4×10^-5 L·m^-2·h^-1·Pa^-1.Especially in the third cycle, the flux recovery ratio (FRR)was evidently improved.The prepared PVDF/N⁺-MWNTs hybrid membranes had excellent antibacterial efficacy against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.Especially after three cycles, the antibacterial ratio remains high.