High performance filtration nanofibrous membranes based on hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) copolymer

A novel high performance hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol- co -ethylene) (PVA- co -PE) nanofiber membrane for filtration media was prepared and characterized in this study. The PVA- co -PE nanofibers for the membrane preparation were fabricated based on a high throughput, cost effective and environmental friendly method developed by us. The basic properties of PVA- co -PE nanofibrous membrane and commercially available membrane (mixed cellulose ester membrane) including morphology, pore size distribution, contact angle, mechanics, water flux and filtration efficiency were investigated. The rejection rate of PVA- co -PE nanofibrous membrane (nanofiber density is 3   g/m 2 ) to TiO 2 suspension was above 99%, and such unique hydrophilic nanofibrous membrane exhibited a flux rate significantly higher than the commercial microfiltration membrane. The results indicated that PVA- co -PE nanofibrous membrane prepared by this method was a hydrophilic and high performance membrane which could be used in the microfiltration fields.