Preparation, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane modified with TiO2-C hybrid aerogels

TiO2-C hybrid aerogels containing submicrometer anatase and carbon nanoparticles were prepared with TiCl4 and resorcinol-furfural. A modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membrane was prepared through phase inversion after dispersing the TiO2-C hybrid aerogel into a PVDF solution. The surface features, structure, and hydrophilicity of the membrane were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, and pure water flux. The mechanical strength of this membrane was also determined. The photocatalytic performance of the modified membrane was investigated using reactive brilliant red (X-3B) as a representative contaminant. Characterization results indicated that the TiO2-C hybrid aerogels were distributed evenly in the PVDF membrane, showing enhanced hydrophilicity, mechanical strength, and pure water flux. Furthermore, the photodegradation rate of X-3B through the modified membrane was significantly high owing to the photocatalytic action of the TiO2-C hybrid aerogels distributed in the modified membrane. nema