Fouling-free ultrafiltration for humic acid removal.

ABSTRACT: Membrane fouling is a serious concern that significantly affects the membrane filtration process. In this study, an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was developed with surface auto-regeneration potential by immobilizing a photocatalyst [titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs)] on a hybrid polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane to reduce fouling. The combination of photocatalysis and UF, namely, photocatalytic UF, induced the surface auto-regeneration potential to the membrane. The photocatalytic process was initiated after UV light reached the TiO₂ NPs through a quartz window in the membrane containing cell. The membrane, with an optimized distribution of TiO₂ NPs (3.04 g m^-2), could completely regenerate itself during photocatalytic UF [with 2 m

SUBMITTER: Younas H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9082387 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature