Robust CA-GO-TiO[sub.2]/PTFE Photocatalytic Membranes for the Degradation of the Azithromycin Formulation from Wastewaters

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 16; no. 10
• Main Authors: Satulu, Veronica, Pandele, Andreea Madalina, Ionica, Giovanina-Iuliana, Bobirică, Liliana, Bonciu, Anca Florina, Scarlatescu, Alexandra, Bobirică, Constantin, Orbeci, Cristina, Voicu, Stefan Ioan, Mitu, Bogdana, Dinescu, Gheorghe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01-05-2024
• Subjects: Analysis; Azithromycin; Composition; Dielectric films; Graphene; Mechanical properties; Nanoparticles; Oxides; Polytetrafluoroethylene; Thermal properties; Thin films; Titanium dioxide; Wastewater; Romania
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym16101368

We have developed an innovative thin-film nanocomposite membrane that contains cellulose acetate (CA) with small amounts of TiO[sub.2] -decorated graphene oxide (GO) (ranging from 0.5 wt.% to 2 wt.%) sandwiched between two polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-like thin films. The PTFE-like films succeeded in maintaining the bulk porosity of the support while increasing the thermal and chemical robustness of the membrane and boosting the catalytic activity of TiO[sub.2] nanoparticles. The membranes exhibited a specific chemical composition and bonding, with predominant carbon–oxygen bonds from CA and GO in the bulk, and carbon–fluorine bonds on their PTFE-like coated sides. We have also tested the membranes’ photocatalytic activities on azithromycin-containing wastewaters, demonstrating excellent efficiency with more than 80% degradation for 2 wt.% TiO[sub.2] -decorated GO in the CA-GO-TiO[sub.2] /PTFE-like membranes. The degradation of the azithromycin formulation occurs in two steps, with reaction rates being correlated to the amount of GO-TiO[sub.2] in the membranes.