Hydrothermal synthesis of highly photo-reactive nano-composite as an anti-fouling and self-cleaning coating for substrate membranes

Abstract

Reports on clean water shortage crisis were highlighted during a distinguished international water forum which drew attention from the entire world. Paramount need to develop a novel yet cost effective water treatment technology to solve the current and rising issue on the shortage of clean drinking water was heavily emphasized. Therefore in this FYP work, literature was reviewed and experiments were executed to answer to this prevalent task. Herein, an atypical multi-functional CNT/ZnO/TiO2 nano-composite coating was successfully synthesized and assembled on CA substrate membrane through hydrothermal synthesis and acid treatment with ultra-sonication. Hydrothermally synthesized TiO2 nano-wires acted as the supporting matrix and the acid treated CNT/ZnO nano-rods exhibited bridging characteristics to compose a “cob-web” like hierarchically structure nano-composite material. This CNT/ZnO/TiO2 nano-composite coated membrane integrated the advantages of polymer and ceramic membrane together with multi-functionalities of CNT/ZnO/TiO2 nano-materials to exhibit high mechanical strength along with high photo-catalytic capability which possessed the ability to produce clean water at a high membrane flux with low fouling potential. Therefore, this outstanding coated membrane would bring about significant benefits water treatment industry.