Tailored PVDF nanocomposite membranes using exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets for improved permeation and antifouling performance.

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 (Ra = 35 nm), compared to the pure PVDF membrane (Ra = 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]