Modification of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane by silver nanoparticles-graphene oxide hybrid nanosheet for effective membrane biofouling mitigation

Yang Yu; Yi Yang; Ling Yu; Kok Yuen Koh; J Paul Chen

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129187

Modification of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane by silver nanoparticles-graphene oxide hybrid nanosheet for effective membrane biofouling mitigation

Chemosphere. 2021 Apr:268:129187. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129187. Epub 2020 Dec 3.

Authors

Yang Yu¹, Yi Yang², Ling Yu³, Kok Yuen Koh³, J Paul Chen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore, 119260, Singapore; NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, #02-01, Singapore, 117411, Singapore; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China.
² NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, #02-01, Singapore, 117411, Singapore.
³ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore, 119260, Singapore; NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, #02-01, Singapore, 117411, Singapore.
⁴ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore, 119260, Singapore; NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, #02-01, Singapore, 117411, Singapore. Electronic address: jpaulchen@u.nus.edu.

PMID: 33360934
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129187

Abstract

Membrane biofouling poses severe impacts on the membrane lifespan and performance. In this study, a silver nanoparticles-graphene oxide hybrid nanosheet (AgNPs-GO) was synthesized as a bactericidal agent for effective membrane biofouling mitigation. The surface polymerization between polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and AgNPs-GO nanosheet improved the stability of inorganic biocidal materials on the membrane surface and had a significant effect on the permeability and rejection performance of membranes. The PVA/AgNPs-GO modified hydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride (H-PVDF) membrane exhibited an excellent anti-microbial activity in both static contact and filtration modes; nearly 100% inactivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in solution and 91% reduction in the membrane surface adhesion were found. The composite membrane with good stability and anti-microbial ability may offer an alternative to alleviate membrane biofouling problem.

Keywords: Anti-biofouling; Graphene oxide; PVDF membrane; Silver nanoparticles; Surface polymerization.

MeSH terms

Biofouling* / prevention & control
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Membranes, Artificial
Metal Nanoparticles*
Polyvinyls
Silver

Substances

Membranes, Artificial
Polyvinyls
graphene oxide
polyvinylidene fluoride
Silver
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