Highly hydrophilic and antifouling poly(vinylidene fluoride) hybrid ultrafiltration membranes incorporated with silver‐loaded iron‐based metal–organic frameworks

Abstract Silver‐loaded iron‐based metal–organic frameworks (Ag@FeBTC) are synthesized and incorporated with poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) to make hybrid ultrafiltration (UF) membranes and are efficiently utilized to treat water containing macromolecular pollutants. The chemical functionality and semi‐amorphous nature of the Ag@FeBTC are validated by FT‐IR and XRD, respectively. The morphology and elemental composition of PVDF/Ag@FeBTC membranes are probed by SEM and EDX mapping. The creation of pores is visibly seen in cross‐sectional SEM images and the improvement in roughness is noticed in AFM images. Because of the improved hydrophilicity of Ag@FeBTC on the PVDF membrane matrix, the contact angle is reduced to 33.9°. The excellent dispersion of Ag@FeBTC on the PVDF membrane matrix is observed through elemental mapping. The PVDF/Ag@FeBTC hybrid membranes exhibited higher pure water flux (160 L m −2 h −1 ) and greater than 90% rejection as well as flux recovery ratio for foulant removal (BSA and HA). The antimicrobial property of PVDF/Ag@FeBTC hybrid membranes is probed using a zone of inhibition test against E. coli and S. aureus , and the results revealed that the hybrid membranes possess superior antibacterial behavior. The long‐term stability of MOF in hybrid membranes is confirmed by AAS. Overall characterization and performance results of the hybrid PVDF/Ag@FeBTC UF membrane clearly demonstrated its potential use for water treatment applications.