Synthesis and evaluation of PVC-Cu/Al2O3 nanocomposite membranes for removing of natural organic matter from the wastewater

The synthesis of Cu/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) was conducted by the citric acid sol–gel technique. We used the synthesized NPs to enhance PVC membranes and create PVC-Cu/Al₂O₃ nanocomposite membranes. The quantities of NPs utilized were 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt.% of solid phase. The point of this study was to look into how PVC-Cu/Al₂O₃ membranes can be used to remove natural organic matter (NOM) from polluted water in submerged membrane systems. The membranes treated with NPs exhibited increased porosity, improved hydrophilicity, and smoother surface. Results revealed that the incorporation of 1 wt.% NPs into PVC (PVC-CA1) demonstrated the highest degree of hydrophilicity and porosity. Moreover, PVC-CA1 exhibited an increased number of pores, with larger pores present on the top surface and larger macrovoids on the cross-sectional surface. The PVC-CA1 exhibited the highest flux recovery ratio (FRR) and highest rejection rate for HA, with values of 82.6% and 92.6%, respectively. PVC-CA1, which had an irreversible fouling ratio (IFR) of 17.3%, demonstrated the greatest resistance to fouling. Generally, incorporation of NPs into PVC resulted in increased hydrophilicity, enhanced porosity, uniform dispersion, smoother surface characteristics, and consequently improved antifouling properties. Furthermore, among the fabricated membranes, PVC-CA1 had the most favorable antifouling performance.