Laser-synthesized Ag/TiO nanoparticles to integrate catalytic pollutant degradation and antifouling enhancement in nanofibrous membranes for oil–water separation

In the current study, we explore the use of an eco-friendly laser-based methodology to fabricate Ag/TiO nanoparticles (NPs) with a highly controlled chemical composition, which serve to decorate the surface of Polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous membranes. Since these NPs can enhance the membranes’ oil–water separation performance and independently act as catalysts with the ability to purify water, we studied the samples’ separation capacity and, in parallel, the NPs pollutant degradation ability. Our findings evidence that membranes decoration by NPs with medium size (6.6 ± 2.2) nm, element composition 93.8 wt% Ti and 6.2 wt% Ag, where Ag locates in the surface, lead to a membranes’ loading of 1.31 ⋅ 1011 particles/cm2 or 0.13μg/cm2. Such superficial modification provides the membranes super-hydrophilicity resulting in improved oil–water separation performance through time and oil rejection percentage while the membrane’s fouling is negligible. Besides, the unique composition of these NPs brings a highly competitive catalytic activity (κc factor) of 2.82 L ⋅ g−1⋅ s−1, implying that their multifunctional nature could expand the cleansing capabilities of nanofibrous membranes by separating water from oily polluted sources and separately catalyze the degradation of water dissolved organic pollutants. Thus, providing a groundwork for future developments in the truly cleansing of oily polluted water.