Photocatalytic antifouling properties of novel PVDF membranes improved by incorporation of SnO2-GO nanocomposite for water treatment

Abstract Excellent separation performance and anti-contamination of novel SnO2-graphene oxide/polyvinylidene fluoride (SnO2-GO/PVDF) membranes with complete sponge-like pores were produced by the delay phase conversion method via introducing the nanocomposite (SnO2-GO) into casting solution of PVDF, in which the interconnection of SnO2 and GO was able to improve photocatalysis capacity and entrust modified membranes with self-cleaning capability. The SnO2-GO/PVDF membranes exhibited enhanced effectiveness of photodegradation (increased approximately 60-80%) and superb photodegradation kinetics to bovine serum albumin (BSA) in comparison with modified membranes replenished with GO and SnO2, respectively. Furthermore, the BSA rejection and permeation of SnO2-GO/PVDF membranes were also superior over other check samples on account of the enhanced hydrophilicity, special sponge-like pore structure and photodegradation capacity. Besides, the rejection rate of BSA attached breathtaking 97.2% under high flux (363.2 L·m-2·h-1). Hence, the SnO2-GO/PVDF membranes could possess ample potentiality as the younger generation of multifunctional antipollution membranes for water treatment in the foreseeable future.