Synthesis and characterisation of TiO2 nanofibre/cellulose acetate nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane

Abstract

Nanofibres of TiO<inf>2</inf> were synthesised by hydrothermal routine. Cellulose acetate/TiO<inf>2</inf> nanofibre composite membranes were synthesised via blending TiO<inf>2</inf> nanofibre in cellulose acetate solutions in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. In order to study the effect of addition of nanofibre, membranes with various composition were synthesised, first by keeping cellulose acetate to 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone ratio constant and second by decreasing cellulose acetate concentration with increasing addition of TiO<inf>2</inf> nanofibre. The membranes were characterised using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Hydrophilicity of the membranes was evaluated in terms of contact angle measurements and water uptake study. Permeation characteristics were determined in terms of pure water flux and bovine serum albumin rejection. Antifouling property was studied in terms of flux recovery after rejection. Remarkable improvement in membrane flux and antifouling properties is achieved by the addition of TiO<inf>2</inf> nanofibres. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.