Construction of two-dimensional Ag/WS2 hybrid membranes with self-cleaning ability by photocatalysis for efficient water filtration.

Two-dimensional Ag/WS 2 hybrid membranes were developed to improve separation performance of WS 2 membrane by in situ self-reduction of AgNO 3 on WS 2 nanoflakes. With the increase of Ag content in Ag/WS 2 hybrid membrane, water flux increased as well because of increased interlayer spacing and more irregular stacking of WS 2 nanoflakes, while the rejection rates for dye molecules decreased. The hybrid membrane containing 6.92 wt% of Ag nanoparticles (Ag/WS 2 -2) presented optimal separation performance, exhibiting a EB rejection rate around 90% and a water permeance higher than 500 L/m2·h·bar. Moreover, Ag/WS 2 -2 membrane revealed excellent UV-driven self-cleaning ability by photodegradation of contaminant on membrane surface, and its water flux recovery rate was higher than 99.0%. The formation of Ag/WS 2 heterostructure can assist separation of photoinduced electrons and holes by transferring photoinduced electrons to Ag nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic activity. [Display omitted] - 2D Ag/WS 2 hybrid membranes were developed by in situ self-reduction of AgNO 3. - Improved separation performances were achieved after Ag decorated. - Ag/WS 2 membrane presented excellent self-cleaning ability by photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]