Catalytic performance of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) supported TiO2 additive at microwave conditions

TiO2 is widely used additive material in order to improve properties of filtration membranes. As far as its contribution to filtration performance, TiO2 acts as catalytic agent.In this study, catalytic activity of TiO2 added PVDF flat sheets (membranes) prepared by phase inversion method, and they were performed on benzyl alcohol oxidation at microwave radiation. Structure, thermal behaviors and morphology of samples were investigated by FTIR, TG-DTA and SEM analysis respectively. Hydrophilicity was determined by contact angle measurements. Interaction between TiO2and PVDF chain was evidenced. TiO2 added PVDF membranes had improved filtration and rejection performance. 32.4% BSA rejection was obtained with composites while it was 7.5% of pristine membrane. 93.86% conversion and 56% selectivity were obtained with composites in microwave-assisted batch reactor. Decomposition of polymer increased when 6% additive due to catalytic effect of TiO2 then, it decreased with further loading.Detailed evidences were obtained by activation energies (Ea) of decomposition calculated by Kissinger method. Microwave-assisted catalytic effect of TiO2inside polymeric matrix promise to obtain fast, high yielded and disposable membrane materials for catalytic reactors to in-situ production of fine chemicals.