Low-cost photocatalytic membrane modified with green heterojunction TiO₂/ZnO nanoparticles prepared from waste

The combination of photocatalysis and membrane procedures represents a promising approach for water treatment. This study utilized green synthesis methods to produce TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) using Pomegranate extract and ZnO nanoparticles using Tangerine extract. These nanoparticles were then incorporated into a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanocomposite photocatalytic membrane. Different devices were used to examine the properties of nanocomposite membranes. The prepared membranes' morphology was examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The hydrophilicity of the membrane surface was assessed through the measurement of contact angle, while the crystal structure and chemical bonding were analyzed using Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The study also encompassed an examination of the mechanical properties. The hydrophilicity of the modified membrane exhibited a significant improvement. Additionally, there was an observed increase in both the pure water flux and rejection values. The photocatalytic activity of the membrane was found to be enhanced when exposed to sunlight as compared to when kept in the dark. The TiO₂/ZnO nanocomposites membrane exhibited the highest level of photocatalytic degradation, achieving a rejection rate of 98.7% compared to the unmodified membrane. Therefore, it was determined that the TiO₂/ZnO nanocomposites membrane exhibited superior performance to the other membranes assessed. The potential utility of our research lies in its application within the water treatment industry, specifically as an effective technique for modifying PVC membranes.