Novel organic-inorganic hybrid polyvinylidene fluoride ultrafiltration membranes with antifouling and antibacterial properties by embedding N-halamine functionalized silica nanospheres

Novel polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hybrid ultrafiltration membranes with antifouling and antibacterial properties are prepared by embedding N-halamine functionalized silica nanospheres (HFSNs). With the addition of HFSNs, the antifouling properties of PVDF membranes are significantly improved. The results reveal that the highest pure water permeation flux of 559.8 L m(-2) bar(-1) h(-1) is attained when the 0.6 wt% HFSNs is added in the casting solution. The membrane of M-3 with 0.9 wt% HFSNs addition shows the highest sterilization ratios of 97.1% and 97.0% against (escherichia coli) E. calf and (staphylococcus aureus) S. aureus respectively. After 6 times of inhibition-activation cycles, the membrane still remains 72.3% against E.coli. (C) 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.