Photocatalytic self-cleaning properties of m-phenylene isophthalamide membranes enhanced by immobilization of GO-ZnO-Ag for dye wastewater disposal

Drawing self-cleaning technology into polymer membranes offers an extensive solution to overcome the membrane fouling obstacle. Herein, the GO-ZnO-Ag nano-hybrid particles with photocatalytic activity prepared via the microwave hydrothermal method were immobilized in poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) membranes. Not only was the thorny issue in catalyst recovery avoided, but also the satisfactory photocatalytic self-cleaning performance of the polymer membrane was awarded. GO and noble metal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) acted as a conductive electron transfer carrier and an electron host, respectively, which hindered the recombination rate of excited electrons and holes on ZnO under UV light. The UV-driven PMIA membrane photodegradation rates of MB and Cr(VI) were up to 97.2% and 94.3%, respectively, at 150 min on photodegradation kinetics. Also, MB was completely degraded at 180 min. For MB and Cr(VI) mix solutions, their degradation efficiencies were 78.1% and 71%, respectively. The BSA rejection rate of the modified polymer membrane was 93.8%, and the water flux was 408.8 (L·m −2 ·h −1 ). Permeability was maintained at a high level after repeated use. Therefore, the newly designed PMIA/GO-ZnO-Ag series membranes could expand the application of polymers in wastewater disposal industry.