Hybrid PVDF-P(L-DOPA)-ZnO membranes for dyes and antibiotics removal through simultaneous action of adsorption and photocatalysis processes. Issue 6 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Popa, Adriana; Toloman, Dana; Stefan, Maria; Petran, Anca; Macavei, Sergiu; Ulinici, Sorin; Stan, Manuela; Barbu-Tudoran, Lucian; Vlassa, Mihaela; Pana, Ovidiu
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 9:Issue 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Hybrid membranes -- Photocatalytic degradation -- Organic pollutants -- Reactive oxygen species; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.106812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: PVDF-P(L -DOPA)-ZnO hybrid membranes were prepared with the purpose to eliminate several classes of pollutants from water: cationic dyes and antibiotics. The PVDF membrane with the pores mean size of 1.5 µm was prepared by the phase inversion method. P(L -DOPA), a PDA analogue, was deposited on the polymeric membrane to facilitate the anchor of in-situ grown ZnO nanoparticles. Several characterization methods were deployed to explore the hybrid membranes' structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties. The firm P(L -DOPA)-ZnO coating on the PVDF membrane surface converted its hydrophobic nature to a hydrophilic one. For an optimal ZnO nanoparticles amount and size, efficient degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB- 80%) and oxytetracycline (OTC-71%) was obtained in 5 h of UV-light irradiation. The generation of P(L -DOPA)-ZnO Z-scheme photocatalyst promotes an efficient separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs beneficial to photocatalytic activity. The hybrid membrane revealed similar photocatalytic activity after 3 cycles illustrating high stability. The analysis of the generated reactive oxygen species correlated with radical spin trapping experiments suggest that photogenerated h + play the main role in the photodegradation of both studied pollutants. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Hybrid PVDF membranes modified with P(L -DOPA) and ZnO Np were prepared. P(L -DOPA)-ZnO enhances hydrophilic character of PVDF membrane. The photocatalytic membranes are effective for RhB and OTC removal. The P(L -DOPA)-ZnO Z-scheme assures an efficient separation of charge carriers. The holes play the main role in the photodegradation process.