Effect of silver nanoparticles on the morphological, antibacterial activity and performance of graphene oxide-embedded polyvinylidene fluoride membrane

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2023-12, Vol.11 (6), p.111394, Article 111394
• Main Authors: Muqoyyanah, Muqoyyanah, Khoerunnisa, Fitri, Handayani, Murni, Rahmayanti, Yosephin Dewiani, Triadi, Hari Agung, Annifah, Riri Uswatun, Iasya, Yurin Karunia Apsha Albaina, Gunawan, Triyanda, Lestari, Witri Wahyu, Sanjaya, Eli Hendrik, Astuti, Wijayanti Dwi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial activity; Membrane performance; Morphology; PVDF/GO membranes; Silver nanoparticles
• ISSN: 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2023.111394

In this work, a different ratio of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was used as a nanofiller on graphene oxide (GO)-embedded polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes fabrication through a non-solvent induced phase separation method. The morphology of fabricated membranes was investigated using FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDX techniques. The fabricated membranes were tested for Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) rejection and Molecular Weight Cut Off (MWCO) with various initial concentrations of 100 – 400 ppm and 6 – 145 kDa, respectively using a crossflow method, as well as antibacterial activity against four strains bacteria via total plate counting and Kirby-Bauer method. The incorporation of hydrophilic GO and Ag NPs obviously alters membrane morphology, enhances membrane’s porosity and hydrophilicity. Moreover, it improves membrane crystallinity (> 70%) as indicated by the higher XRD peaks intensity. Based on the crossflow measurements, the membrane fabricated with GO and Ag ratio of 1: 3 (PVDF/GO/AgNPs – 3) demonstrated the highest BSA flux of 83.81 L/m2 h, which was third-fold higher than that of PVDF membrane as well as high BSA rejection (> 94%) and MWCO of ∼3 kDa. According to the observation, PVDF/GO/AgNPs – 3 also possessed a high bacteria killing ratio of > 94% and a large inhibition zone of ≥ 1.5 mm toward all bacteria strains. These results inferred that PVDF/GO/Ag membrane has great potential as antibiofouling membranes. •Various GO-embedded PVDF membranes were successfully fabricated via NIPS method utilizing different Ag NPs concentrations.•Different membrane morphologies were observed by incorporating different Ag NPs concentrations (≤ 0.1 wt%).•Higher BSA flux (83.81 L/m2 h), BSA rejection (> 94%), and MWCO of ∼3 kDa were achieved by PVDF/GO/AgNPs – 3 membrane.•Excellent antibacterial activity against four stains bacteria (high BKR of > 94% and ZOI of ≥ 1.5 mm).