Preparation of poly(vinylidene fluoride)(pvdf) ultrafiltration membrane modified by nano-sized alumina (Al2O3) and its antifouling research

Organic–inorganic composite membranes are formed by nano-sized alumina particles uniformly dispersed in the poly(vinylidene fluoride) solution (19% polymer weight). Membranes were prepared by phase inversion process and were characterized by ultrafiltration (UF) experiments in terms of water flux, molecular weight cut-off for the wet membranes. Contact angle between water and the membrane surface were measured by contact angle measurement in order to characterize the hydrophilicity changing of the membrane surface. The cross-sectional structures, porous dispersion in membranes surface and nanometer particles distribution in the membrane were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission microscopy (TEM), respectively. The effect of nanometer Al2O3 particles concentration in the polymer dope on the permeation properties, membrane structures and antifouling performances were examined. The experimental results indicate that Al2O3–PVDF composite membranes exhibit significant differences in surface and intrinsic properties due to nanometer particles addition.