Combination of cellulose nanocrystal and graphene oxide as modifying agent for improving the performance of PVDF membranes

The effectiveness of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes in various applications is often hampered by fouling, necessitating the exploration of modification strategies to enhance their antifouling properties. This study investigates the effect of combining cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and graphene oxide (GO) on PVDF membranes to address this issue. Six flat sheet membranes with different compositions were fabricated using a non-solvent-induced phase separation method. The resulting membrane (M5: CNC 1 % w/w and GO 0.25 % w/w) exhibited increased surface pores, a finger-like cross-sectional structure, and higher water content. The pure water flux (PWF) in the M5 membrane increased to 37 L/m2∙h, with a humic acid (HA) rejection rate of 60 % and excellent antifouling properties (98.32 %). In conclusion, this study successfully modified PVDF membranes by combining CNC and GO, resulting in membranes with improved properties and performance. The present study provides valuable insights into composite membrane design and offers potential solutions to fouling challenges.