Removal of sulfadiazine in a modified ultrafiltration membrane (PVDF-PVP-TiO2-FeCl3) filtration-photocatalysis system: parameters optimizing and interferences of drinking water

The addition of Fe 3+ to TiO 2 is one of the effective methods to inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes and thus improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 . The effect of PVDF-PVP-TiO 2 -FeCl 3 (PPTFe) membrane filtration-photocatalytic system on the removal of trace concentration of sulfadiazine (SD) in water was evaluated. A two-factor four-level experiment was established to optimize 16 self-made modified membranes. The optimal membrane was then characterized in seven tests (SEM, EDS, membrane pure water flux, contact angle, porosity, mean pore size, ATR-FTIR), resulting in the optimal ratio (PPTFe membrane with 1.2 wt%TiO 2 and 0.8 wt%FeCl 3 ). Compared with the original membrane, the pore number, pore size, permeability, and hydrophilicity of the PPTFe membrane were all enhanced. The removal efficiency (92.63%) of SD by PPTFe membrane filtration-photocatalysis system was investigated. The reaction rate (0.0214 min −1 ) of the removal SD of the system was determined according to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The removal performance of membrane type, pH, and water quality parameters (Cl − , SO 4 2− , NO 3 − , HA) on PPTFe membrane filtration-photocatalytic system were also made a deep inquiry. The results reflected that acidic conditions (pH = 3) were beneficial to SD removal, the presence of Cl − , SO 4 2− , and HA could inhibit SD removal, while the existence of NO 3 − was unaffected. Furthermore, the removal rate of SD in the actual water body was displayed well in this system. Finally, the possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism was proposed. Graphical abstract