The Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2/PVDF-co-CTFE mixed matrix membrane with enhanced anti-fouling and self-cleaning performances for effectively removing dyes by Fenton reaction

It is a major obstacle to further development of membrane technology that membrane fouling occurs. In this study, a novel Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2/PVDF-co-CTFE mixed matrix membrane was successfully developed by mixing Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2 nanoparticles (NPs) into PVDF-co-CTFE membrane through a simple non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method, and was used for degradation of organic wastewater. The results of the incorporated Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2 NPs content on the morphology, pore structure and physicochemical structure of samples were investigated systematically. The results indicated that the Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2 NPs addition in membrane matrix improved the permeability and significantly enhanced the anti-fouling performance. When 2 wt% Fe3O4@UiO-66-NH2 NPs was added, the mixed matrix membrane had excellent comprehensive performance, maintaining a high pure water flux of 226.8 L m−2 h−1, the BSA rejection rate reached 95.9%, and the flux recovery rate was 71.38%. Importantly, the membrane possessed high catalytic performance based on the Fenton reaction mechanism, and the removal rate of 20 mg L−1 MB solution (400 mL) was up to 99.04%, and showed excellent self-cleaning characteristics and long-term stability. In conclusion, this study provided a new idea for the development of Fenton catalytic membranes with excellent anti-fouling performance for wastewater treatment in complex environments.