Polypyrrole blending modification for PVDF conductive membrane preparing and fouling mitigation

Polypyrrole (PPy) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) was respectively used as conductive additive and dopant for blending modification of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane in this research. The physicochemical properties of modified membranes showed obvious changes. After modification, the macropores were shrunk and the typical sponge structure could be observed on cross-section. During the short term filtration, PPy-SDBS membrane presented better anti-fouling performance and lower effluent turbidity was obtained compared with blank membrane. The conductivity of PPy-SDBS membrane was enhanced constantly during immersion in activated sludge. In addition, the yeast filtration flux of PPy-SDBS membrane and the retention of foulants were enhanced when 0.1 V of electric filed was applied.