Fabrication of a low‐cost nano‐SiO₂/PVC composite ultrafiltration membrane and its antifouling performance

A novel low‐cost SiO 2 /Polyvinylchloride (PVC) membrane with different nano‐SiO 2 particles loading (0–4 wt %) was prepared by the phase‐inversion process. The optimum nano‐SiO 2 dosage was determined as 1.5 wt % based on the casting solution compositions, the membranes' mechanical properties and hydrophilicities, the pure water fluxes, microstructures, and absorption of protein. Compared with the bare membrane, the membrane with 1.5 wt % nano‐SiO 2 addition presented better capabilities against the protein absorption and bacterial attachment, better antifouling performance, and higher flux recovery ratio in filtration of the supernatant liquor which collected from a secondary sedimentation tank in a municipal wastewater plant. The SiO 2 /PVC membranes have applicable potential in the municipal wastewater treatment for their low price, good antifouling performance and high removal efficiencies of SS (over 97.2%), COD (up to 82.9%) and total bacteria (more than 93.6%).