(198z) Effects of Silica Nanoparticles in PVDF-SiO2 Mixed Matrix Membranes Developed Via Immersion Precipitation Phase Inversion

Membranes have large surface areas ideal for loading inorganic nanoparticles (NPs). Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) and Silica (SiO₂) can be used as a dope solution to form a SiO₂ -PVDF membrane via phase inversion. The ease and diversity in surface properties allow for the design of SiO2 mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) with specific functions and properties for a wide range of applications and scalable processes. In the current study SiO₂ -PVDF MMM were developed via immersion precipitation phase inversion using a SiO₂ wt% of 2,4,6 and 8. The MMMs exhibited an increase in flux with increasing SiO₂ wt% with the highest having a measured flux of 0.58 ± 0.01 (LMH) at 5 bar. Also, the porosity and mean pore radius increased as the silica volume fraction increased. Indicating that if not well dispersed, the addition of SiO₂ nano-particles will cause defects around the aggregates, thus resulting in a change in the mean pore radius and flux.