Novel poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofiltration membrane modified with dopamine coated anatase TiO2 core shell nanoparticles

Abstract Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membrane incorporated with dopamine coated titanium oxide nanoparticles was synthesized using phase inversion technique for the treatment of wastewater from Security Papers Limited, Pakistan. Three different samples were developed for comparing structural features and evaluating performance efficiency. Thermal stability, mechanical strength, surface morphology and crystal structure were analyzed through Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Tensile testing, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) respectively. The contaminants removal efficiency was determined using TSS concentration, COD, BOD and Total Colony Count. The microbes, dissolved solids and suspended pollutants were effectively removed up to considerable proportions. PVA-dopamine coated TiO2 membrane showed exceptional microbial removal percentage with 80 % rejection of microorganisms, at 650 cfu/mLx103.