Preparation and characterization of PVDF/TiO₂ hybrid membranes with ionic liquid modified nano-TiO₂ particles

PVDF/TiO₂ hybrid microfiltration membranes with different contents of ionic liquid modified nano-TiO₂ (IL-TiO₂) were prepared via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method. The morphology of membranes was studied by scanning electron microscope. The TiO₂ stability in the hybrid membranes was evaluated by XPS. The membrane properties such as pure water flux, porosity, pore size distribution and antifouling properties were also determined. Results showed that PVDF and PVDF/TiO₂ hybrid membranes were formed by solid-liquid phase separation and had spherical crystallites structure with cells. The addition of IL-TiO₂ particles to the PVDF/DMP mixtures had a strong effect on the crystallization temperature of hybrid membranes and crystallization formation in the TIPS process. Pure water flux and porosity first increased, and then decreased with the increase of IL-TiO₂ content. Membranes with lower IL-TiO₂ content had a relatively higher TiO₂ stability. The antifouling property of hybrid membranes was improved by the addition of IL-TiO₂. Hopefully, the demonstrated method of nanoparticles synthesis and membrane preparation was favorable to fabricate catalytic hybrid membranes and antifouling membranes for water treatment.