Photocatalytic membrane system: Obtaining procedure and environmental application

Abstract

This study reveals the synthesis of a membrane system by a simple and efficient procedure. The conditions used for preparing a membrane system to a substrate have a great effect on its performance. The determination of a suitable immobilisation procedure for specific application becomes complicated with the methods developed over the years. A hybrid coating of fiberglass served as substrate to obtain a photocatalytic system. The working procedure is based on the immersion of fiberglass in suspension consisting of sodium silicate solution and titanium dioxide. The new synthesised membrane system was characterized using X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The present study is focused on the procedure for obtaining new materials for environmental applications and performance evaluation of membrane system in advanced oxidation processes. The photocatalytic activity of the membrane system was evaluated through the oxidation process of organic compounds from wastewater. A synthetic solution by 4-chlorophenol was used as test substance. Removal of phenols compounds from wastewater is extremely important from an environmental perspective.