Preparation of mixed matrix self-cleaning membrane incorporated by Z-scheme heterostructure via robust engineering in terms of dimension for decreasing cake fouling in a cross-flow reactor

Reducing irreversible fouling in polymer membranes by integrating photocatalytic and membrane processes as the self-cleaning photocatalytic membrane is a promising candidate for improving membrane filtration performance. In this study, mixed matrix photocatalytic membranes were prepared from the combination of different morphologies ZnO-g-C₃N₄ heterostructure in the polymer matrix by the phase-separation method. To investigate the self-cleaning and performance properties of mixed matrix photocatalytic membranes prepared from different morphologies heterostructures, the photocatalytic membrane reactor with a visible-light source was applied. Nanoflower/nanosheet (NF/NS) ZnO-g-C₃N₄ photocatalytic membrane showed good self-cleaning performance owing to the high photocatalytic performance of NF/NS ZnO-g-C₃N₄ heterostructure by the reduction of irreversible membrane fouling, thus improving the antifouling and filtration performance of the membrane. Also, the morphology and the uniform distribution of the NF/NS ZnO-g-C₃N₄ heterostructure in the membrane matrix caused good hydrophilic properties, high porosity, and a more symmetrical structure in the (NF/NS) ZnO-g-C₃N₄ photocatalytic membrane (F₄). For the F₄ membrane, the permeability and rejection values increased from 40.35 L m⁻² h⁻¹ and 90.9% in the dark environment to 84.37 L m⁻² h⁻¹ and 97.4% under visible-light for dye pollutants. Accordingly, F₄ had the best filtration and self-cleaning performance, which can be used as a promising visible-light photocatalytic membrane in wastewater treatment processes.