Enhancing the Performance of PVDF/GO Ultrafiltration Membrane via Improving the Dispersion of GO with Homogeniser

Abstract

In this study, PVDF/GO-h composite membranes were synthesised using a homogeniser to improve the dispersion of GO nanosheets within the composite membrane’s structure, and then characterised and contrasted to PVDF/GO-s control samples, which were synthesised via traditional blending method-implementing a magnetic stirrer. By characterizing membrane via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angle (WCA) and membrane performance. SEM results showed that the number of the finger-like structure channels and pores in the sponge like structure of PVDF/GO-h composite membranes become more compared with PVDF/GO-s membranes. Water contact angle tests showed that the PVDF/GO-h composite membranes have lower contact angle than PVDF/GO-s control, which indicated the PVDF/GO-h composite membranes are more hydrophilic. Results also showed that composite membranes blended using homogeniser exhibited both improved water flux and rejection of target pollutants. In summary, it was shown that the performance of composite membranes could be improved significantly via homogenisation during synthesis, thus outlining the importance of further research into proper mixing.