Catechol-Fe(III) complexes modified PVDF membrane for hazardous pollutants separation and antifouling properties

Organic pollutants, such as toluene and xylene, in industrial wastewater negatively impact the environment. Membrane treatment is one of the best methods to reduce impurities in wastewater. Existing membranes that coat the water surface with hydrophilic material only effectively resist the initial fouling, resulting in poor oil and water selectivity. Here we report a simple and efficient method to enhance the water flux and antifouling properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. This method involves developing and applying Catechol-Fe(III) complexes with a rough surface to the PVDF surface. Forming Catechol-Fe(III) complexes on the surface better anchors them to the membrane than the dip-coating method. The PVDF membranes with rough Catechol-Fe(III) complexes are superoleophobic, with an oil contact angle of 152 ° and high permeability, with pure water flux of 10487 Lm‐2h‐1bar‐1 and 1 wt% toluene in water emulsion flux of 4697 Lm‐2h‐1bar‐1. Overall, the straightforward manufacturing process, increased permeability, and outstanding antifouling capabilities of the PVDF membrane incorporating rough nanoparticles offer promising prospects for designing and implementing suitable membranes for oil in water emulsion separation applications. [Display omitted] •Superoleophobic PVDF membrane (RN-m) are fabricated with catechol-Fe3+coordination.•The RN-m exhibits a high-water flux (10487 Lm−2h−1) and low surface energy (0.05 mNm−1).•The RN-m shows emulsions separation efficiency up to 98.3% and fluxes up to 4798 Lm−2h−1.•The membrane can be successfully reused 25 times and flux not declined by more than 5%.