Performance of PVDF-La dope TiO₂ Membrane Photocatalytic Under Visible Light Irradiation for Produced Water Treatment

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Semarang, 50275, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: tdkusworo@che.undip.ac.id

Abstract

Membrane technology has been widely applied in water management systems for production, but is still hindered by fouling phenomena and low selectivity. Improving membrane performance through modification, such as the addition of photocatalytic materials, has been explored. In this research, La@TiO₂ composite was incorporated into PVDF membranes for the treatment of produced water. Lanthanum doping on TiO₂ effectively inhibits carrier recombination and enhances photocatalytic activity. According to the research results, adding the La@TiO₂ composite to the membrane matrix increased the porosity value and membrane pore size. The PVDF-La@TiO₂ 1.5%wt membrane exhibited the highest flux values, specifically 20.59 L.m^-2.h^-1 and 40 L.m^-2.h^-1 in dark conditions and visible light irradiation. The rejection rates for COD, TDS, and ammonia were 69.89%, 57.77%, and 69.65%. The photocatalytic degradation effect of PVDF-La@TiO₂ is proven by a significant difference in the filtration results under vis-light irradiation. The kinetics of COD removal are better described by a pseudo-first-order model. The degradation of PVDF-La@TiO₂ 1.5% pollutant demonstrated significant results, confirming its photocatalytic activity under irradiation. Overall, the membrane exhibited good performance and proved to be reusable after 6 hours of photofiltration. This research holds promise for enhancing the use of membrane photocatalytics in the treatment of produced water.