Hydroxyl functionalized PVDF–TiO₂ ultrafiltration membrane and its antifouling properties

In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was hydroxylized via the Fenton reaction and was used as a polymer matrix for mixed‐matrix membrane synthesis. The chemical properties of hydroxylized PVDF (PVDF–OH) polymer and pristine PVDF polymer were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Treatment of PVDF polymer with Fenton reagent led to the emergence of the OH functionality. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis clearly indicated the improvement of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles (NPs) distribution on the PVDF–OH/TiO 2 mixed‐matrix membrane (MMM) surface. The antifouling properties of the neat PVDF membrane, PVDF/TiO 2 MMM and PVDF–OH/TiO 2 MMM were investigated. The MMM with the embedded P25 TiO 2 was found to show better antifouling ability, with a considerably higher irreversible flux recovery ratio after 6 h of UV irradiation. By hydroxylizing the PVDF matrix, the TiO 2 NP dispersion was improved. The PVDF–OH/TiO 2 MMM combined both the superior antifouling and UV‐cleaning properties.