Preparation of a novel polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ultrafiltration membrane modified with Ag/TiO₂ nanoparticle with enhanced hydrophilicity and antibacterial activities

Ag/TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated via a co-precipitation method and used to prepare a novel polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane, i.e. Ag/TiO₂/PVC nanocomposite membrane. Effect of Ag/TiO₂ adding on the membrane properties was examined. The EDX elemental mapping confirmed good dispersion of Ag/TiO₂ NPs on the membrane surface. ATR-FTIR analysis certified existence of hydroxyl groups on the Ag/TiO₂/PVC membrane surface. Furthermore, the values of the pure water flux (PWF) was enhanced from 41 L/m² h for bare EPVC membrane to 58.6 L/m² h for Ag/TiO₂/PVC nanocomposite membrane containing 1 wt% Ag/TiO₂. The antimicrobial behavior of Ag/TiO₂/PVC membrane has been tested using Gram-negative bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Gram-positive bacteria, and inhibition of bacterial growth was observed. Better antifouling and antibacterial properties for the blended membranes were observed. It is hoped that our study will be used as a good method for modification of EPVC membrane in water treatment industry.