Tailored PVDF nanocomposite membranes using exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets for improved permeation and antifouling performance. (31st October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sri Abirami Saraswathi, Meenakshi Sundaram; Rana, Dipak; Vijayakumar, Prabu; Alwarappan, Subbiah; Nagendran, Alagumalai
• Is Part Of: New journal of chemistry. Volume 41:Number 23(2017)
• Page Start: 14315
• Page End: 14324
• Publication Date: 2017-10-31
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chimie -- Périodiques; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c7nj03193a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1144-0546

Abstract

Abstract : Exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (E-MoS2 ) nanosheets were synthesized from bulk MoS2 . Abstract : Exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (E-MoS2 ) nanosheets were synthesized from bulk MoS2 . Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was incorporated into E-MoS2 to yield nanocomposite ultrafiltration (UF) membranes by the phase inversion technique. Various proportions of E-MoS2 (0.1, 0.5 and 0.8 wt%) were prepared and were characterized in terms of permeation and antifouling properties. FT-IR and XRD studies confirmed the presence of E-MoS2 in the membranes. Moreover, SEM and FESEM/EDX analysis of the membranes confirmed the increase in the porosity and presence, respectively, of E-MoS2 . Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images confirmed that the membrane with 0.5 wt% E-MoS2 exhibited a uniform surface structure with ( R a = 35 nm), compared to the pure PVDF membrane ( R a = 37.6 nm). In addition, the membrane with 0.5 wt% E-MoS2, exhibited higher pure water flux (PWF) (105.1 L m −1 h −1 ), water content (73.7%), porosity (12.24%), bovine serum albumin (BSA) solute rejection (92.3%), least mechanical stability (1.13 MPa), hydraulic resistance (7.44 kPa L −1 m −2 h −1 ) and contact angle (72.8°). From all these, it is evident that the overall PVDF membrane performance was enhanced by the E-MoS2 addition, and the membrane with 0.5 wt% E-MoS2 outperformed the other counterparts due to its versatile characteristics and superior potential in the water treatment.