Incorporation of Antifouling Based Nanoparticles in Ultrafiltration Membrane for Improving Water Permeability and Mitigate Microbial Fouling

Membrane biofouling is one of the major problems that persist in separation field. Biofouling contributes to flux decline and energy consumption in these processes. In order to minimize bio fouling, this study deals to obtain both organic antifouling and anti-microbial properties in PVDF membrane, where silver and gold nanoparticles were incorporated. The microbial fouling properties of this membranes was investigated using as E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis model foulants. The zone of inhibition obtained for each microorganism shows the microbial resistance of the silver and gold nanoparticles incorporated membranes. The experimental results confirm that the incorporation of silver and gold nanoparticles in PVDF membrane can mitigate biofouling.