Cu2O photocatalyst modified antifouling polysulfone mixed matrix membrane for ultrafiltration of protein and visible light driven photocatalytic pharmaceutical removal

Abstract

Abstract This study explains synthesis, characterization of an effective and efficient mixed matrix polysulfone (PSF) ultrafiltration membrane modified with Cu2O photocatalyst, synthesized using electrodeposition method, for pharmaceutical removal. Cu2O photocatalyst, polyethylene glycol, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone were used as additive, pore former, and solvent, respectively in the phase inversion method. Characterization techniques, such as XRD, FTIR, FESEM, FESEM-EDX, and AFM were used to characterize the photocatalyst and blended membranes so as to analyze their structural and functional attributes. Further, the membranes were analyzed by using permeation techniques to analyze their flux profiles. Similarly, antifouling nature and hydrophilicity of the membranes were studied by permeating aqueous BSA solutions and measuring the static water contact angle (SWCA), respectively. The pharmaceutical removal studies were carried out using ibuprofen (IBP). The additive improves the membrane attributes, such as flux improved from 34.24\u202fL\u202fm−2\u202fh−1 to 179.54\u202fL\u202fm−2\u202fh−1 deciphering improved porosity and pore size distribution; SWCA decreased from 71.5° to 45.3° showing increase in the hydrophilicity of the membranes; BSA adsorption decreased from 56\u202fµg\u202fcm−2 to 27\u202fµg\u202fcm−2; and successful removal of IBP at 86% was achieved under visible light conditions with a removal rate of 32.63\u202f×\u202f10−3\u202fmin−1.