High-Performance TiO₂ Nanotubes/Poly(aryl ether sulfone) Hybrid Self-Cleaning Anti-Fouling Ultrafiltration Membranes

• Main Authors: Zhi Geng, Xinyu Wang, Hongchuan Jiang, Leilei Zhang, Zhiting Chen, Yong Feng, Wenzhe Geng, Xia Yang, Mingxin Huo, Jing Sun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-03-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: poly(aryl ether sulfone); self-cleaning; ultrafiltration; photocatalytic; titanium dioxide nanotubes
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/11/3/555

A series of novel self-cleaning hybrid photocatalytic ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were fabricated to separate polyacrylamide, which is widely used as a commercial flocculant. To maximize the self-cleaning and anti-fouling properties of hybrid membranes, high surface area TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs) with excellent photocatalytic activity were homogeneously introduced into a poly(aryl ether sulfone) matrix by chemical bonds. The chemical structure, micromorphology, hydrophilicity, separation efficiency, fouling behavior, and self-cleaning property of the prepared hybrid membranes were well characterized and evaluated. For the optimal sample, the flux recovery ratio increased from ~40% to ~80% after simulated sunlight irradiation for 20 min, which was attributable to the homogeneous dispersion and efficient photocatalytic degradation ability of TNTs. Furthermore, the intelligent fabrication strategy enhanced the anti-aging ability of the hybrid membranes via the use of a fluorine-containing poly matrix. This work provided new insight into the fabrication of high-performance self-cleaning inorganic/organic hybrid membranes.