PVDF/CuO–VS4 Dual-Layer Hollow Fiber Photocatalytic Membrane for Bisphenol A Removal with Energy Storage Capability

Bisphenol A (BPA) is toxic and its outflow into the water bodies raised concern, and suitable water treatment is needed. Photocatalysis is a promising method nowadays to move towards green technology. The novel photocatalytic dual-layer hollow-fiber membrane (DLHF) combines copper (II) oxide–vanadium tetrasulfide (CuO–VS₄) with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane for efficient BPA removal both day and night. CuO and CuO–VS₄ were synthesized using sol–gel and hydrothermal methods, respectively, with varying hydrothermal times. PVDF/CuO–VS₄ DLHF photocatalytic membrane was fabricated using co-extrusion method by varying the ratio of CuO–VS₄. Powdered catalyst and membranes were characterized using FESEM-EDX, XRD and AFM. CuO was synthesized at room temperature, while CuO–VS₄ synthesized at 12 h hydrothermal time was chosen to be deposited into PVDF membrane matrix. The 0.25 PVDF/CuO–VS₄ DLHF shows a uniform CuO–VS₄ distribution, achieving 70.24% photodegradation and 73.19% BPA rejection, with 74.05% regeneration efficiency after three cycles. Energy storage capability shows 60.0% of BPA successfully rejected after 120 min of analysis, and thus, PVDF/CuO–VS₄ DLHF is a preferential 3-in-1 function photocatalytic membrane for BPA degradation and rejection as well as a potential energy storage material for wastewater treatment with or without light.