Efficient photocatalytic performance of BiVO4/ ZIF-8 /Cu2S/Ag2S incorporated in solar driven-cleaning ABS/MWCNT membrane applied in metronidazole decontamination.

To take advantage of solar energy, BiVO 4 /ZIF-8/Cu 2 S/Ag 2 S quaternary photocatalyst with different amounts of ZIF-8 was synthesized. Composites were characterized by FTIR, XRD, TEM, HR-TEM, PL, EDX, DRS and BET. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated and composite with 77.5, 15, 5 and 2.5 wt% of BiVO 4 , Cu 2 S, Ag 2 S and ZIF-8 showed the best qualification with 83.5 % metronidazole removal efficiency. Photocatalytic nanoparticles were incorporated into ABS/MWCNT membranes and they were characterized by SEM, EDX, AFM, electrical conductivity and contact angle measurements. The membrane with 2 wt% MWCNT had conductivity 106 times higher than that of pristine ABS membrane. The contact angles were decreased and the membrane with a more hydrophilic surface resulted in the flux improvement to 200 kg/m2. h. The enhanced drug retention up to 81 % indicated that by using the proper amount of photocatalyst it was possible to increase both the flux and rejection parameters. The flux recovery after solar illumination was obtained as 95.6 % for membrane with 0.5 wt% photocatalytic composites, that result in appropriate anti-fouling capability. finally, high performance photocatalytic activity makes membrane with 0.5 wt% photocatalyst and 1 wt% MWCNT superior for long-life filtration (36 h). [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]