Fabrication of anti-fouling membranes of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with the addition of cellulose nanofibers (CNF)

In this study, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were synthesized for the fabrication of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes using the non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) technique with distilled water as the non-solvent. The hybrid membranes exhibited an asymmetric morphology, along with increased porosity and hydrophilicity with the rising concentration of CNFs. Thermal analysis revealed that all membranes are thermally stable up to approximately 430 °C, indicating their viability for high-temperature applications. Filtration tests demonstrated an enhanced permeate flux and albumin retention with the addition of CNF. The membrane with 1.5 wt% CNF increased solute retention by 19.67% compared to the PVDF membrane. Furthermore, the hybrid membranes exhibited improved flow recovery rates and a reduction in irreversible fouling. These findings underscore the hydrophilic and anti-fouling properties of the membranes produced in this study, making them a promising solution to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of filtration and separation processes. Their significant potential for water treatment applications in the near future is highlighted.