The potential of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-kaolin membrane for water treatment

Abstract

Abstract Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-kaolin membrane has been successfully fabricated. The addition of kaolin is aimed to optimize the performance of PVDF membrane for water treatment. Kaolin was prepared using 0.1 N HCl to activate the material. The fabrication of membranes was using phase inversion with 6 variations on PVDF composition within the membrane. FTIR analysis on kaolin activation shows minor changes on peak intensities and broadness without any addition or loss peak that indicates there is no reaction and only activation is occurred. The addition of kaolin affects the pure water flux. All of modified membranes shows gradually change on porosity and hydrophobicity properties under the contact angle measurement.