Enhanced photocatalytic properties of graphene oxide/polyvinylchloride membranes by incorporation with green prepared SnO2 and TiO2 nanocomposite for water treatment

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 129; no. 12
• Main Authors: Mousa, Sahar A., Abdallah, Heba, Ibrahim, S. S., Khairy, S. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-12-2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied physics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Darkness; Filtration; Graphene; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials science; Membranes; Microfiltration; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Organic compounds; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Polyvinyl chloride; Processes; Raman spectra; Rejection rate; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Tin dioxide; Titanium dioxide; Wastewater treatment; Water flow; Water purification; Green synthesized; Hydrophilicity; Photocatalytic membranes; GO; ); Tin dioxide nanoparticles (SnO; PVC; Flat sheet membrane; Titanium dioxide (TiO
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-023-07117-8

Photocatalytic membranes (PMR) have significant potential for utilization in energy-efficient water purification and wastewater treatment. The integration of membrane filtration's physical separation with photocatalysis's organic degradation is facilitated by their respective capabilities. In the present study, a more advanced graphene oxide (GO) membrane with improved photocatalytic properties was developed. This was achieved by incorporating tin dioxide (SnO
2
) and titanium dioxide (TiO
2
) nanoparticles (NPs) into a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix, resulting in the fabrication of a microfiltration flat sheet membrane. The hydrophilicity of the membrane surface was investigated. The existence of NPs on membrane surfaces was demonstrated by FESEM images, Raman spectra, and FT-IR measurements. The porosity was affected by the addition of NPs; it increased from 59 to 76, and 92 for GO/TiO
2
, and GO/SnO
2
respectively. The relationship between photocatalysis and filtration was investigated. Each nanocomposite membrane displayed a greater water flux and removal efficiency than a blank PVC membrane. Whereas the water flux enhanced from 1.3 to 17.6, and 20.5 for GO/TiO
2
, and GO/SnO
2
respectively. Sunlight improves water flow and rejection compared to darkness. This research provides an alternative and highly efficient photocatalytic membrane for removing organic compounds from water, as the GO/SnO
2
nanocomposites membrane exhibits the highest photocatalytic degradation up to a rejection rate of 98% when compared to an unmodified membrane.