Enhanced separation of oil in water emulsions using PVDF composite membranes reinforced with graphene oxide doped titania and silica nanoparticles

An innovative composite membrane was developed by combining polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with graphene oxide (GO), titania (TiO2), and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (PGTS). This innovative membrane was created using solution casting and electrospinning techniques to enhance its surface area and hydrophilic characteristics, while incorporating photocatalytic properties for light-induced oil decomposition. The membrane structure was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The effectiveness of the membrane was measured in terms of the oil rejection and fouling resistance under continuous cross-flow conditions in a laboratory-scale filtration setup. The PGTS membrane demonstrated exceptional performance, surpassing both pure PVDF and commercial membranes, with a 99% oil rejection rate and 8% flux increase. Notably, the membrane maintained high emulsion separation efficiency even after 100 h of uninterrupted operation.The synergistic interaction between the PVDF matrix and the surface-functionalized nanomaterials—specifically GO, TiO2, and SiO2—enhanced the membrane's separation performance and resistance to fouling. Due to its high selectivity, permeability, and excellent antifouling characteristics, this superhydrophilic nanocomposite membrane demonstrates strong potential for the efficient treatment of oily wastewater from both industrial and domestic sources.