Feasibility of preparing functionalize Y2O3 ceramic membrane with fluorinated polymers via UV photopolymerization for vapor transport application

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2025-02, Vol.13 (1), p.115295, Article 115295
• Main Authors: Yahaya, Nur Zhatul Shima, Dali, Intan Nuralisa Mad, Yusof, Noor Fadilah, Pauzi, Mohamad Zahir Mohamad, Raffi, Amirul Afiat, Abdullah, Norfazliana, Abas, Khairul Hamimah, Othman, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan, Jaafar, Juhana, Rahman, Mukhlis Abdul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fluorinated polymer; Hydrophobic ceramic membrane; Membrane distillation; UV photopolymerization; Y2O3
• ISSN: 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2024.115295

Functionalization through hydrophobic group incorporation has been widely acknowledged for preparation of advanced ceramic membrane. However, current popular method such as silane grafting was still complicated, produced unstable coating and high possibility of leaching into the environment. Hence, this work presented an alternative functionalization via UV photopolymerization where the process is facile and employed readily available fluorinated polymers; polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and UV curable resin (UCR). Tuning the oxygen vacancy defect by inserting F- ion into O2− ion position in the metal oxide structure improved the membrane overall properties by forming a uniform, smooth, thin layer and well-coated active layer as shown by sample Y-1450-U-LOW. In comparison to silane grafting, the polymer coating layer in this study is chemically bonded to the metal oxide structure where it forms a strong and stabilized composite layer membrane consisting of Y-F bond at the interface. The success of this functionalization is further proven by the high membrane distillation performance as the NaCl rejection increased from 30.70 % to 99.99 % with permeate flux value of 5.66 L/m2.h. Adjustment in the feed NaCl temperature from 25 °C to 60 °C created more pathway for vapor transport, allowing the best membrane (Y-1450-U-LOW) to reach highest permeate flux value (29.40 L/m2∙h) so far in the literature. The stabilized active layer consists of the Y-F bond further sustaining the NaCl rejection at 99 %. [Display omitted] •UV photopolymerization is a promising strategy to functionalize ceramic membranes.•Insertion of F− ion change membrane wettability from superhydrophilic to hydrophobic.•The PVDF or UCR induces or heals the oxygen vacancies in the Y2O3 structure.•Tremendous improvement of NaCl rejection up to 99.99 % after successful functionalization reaction with UCR.•Increasing feed NaCl temperature to 60 °C created more pathways for water vapor transport.