This study deals with the improvement of some characteristics of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane by adding diferent amounts of polydopamine-modifed alumina (Al2O3-PDA) nanoparticles (0.5–1.5 wt.%). The fabricated neat PVC and nanocomposite membranes were assessed in a cross-fow fltration system for the removal of oily wastewater (OW). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray difraction (XRD) analysis confrmed the immobilization of PDA on the Al2O3 nanoparticles surfaces. In addition, the fabricated PVC nanocomposite membranes were characterized with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), diferential scanning calorimetry (DSC), feld emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle, porosity measurement, mechanical analysis and pure water fux. The DSC results showed the glass transition temperature (Tg) value of the membranes increased (~3%) in the presence of 0.5 wt.% of Al2O3-PDA nanoparticles. Large pores and macrovoids formed on the surface and cross-section of the membranes by the incorporation of Al2O3-PDA nanoparticles. The results revealed that incorporation 0.5 wt.% of Al2O3-PDA nanoparticles into PVC ultrafltration membranes led to higher hydrophilicity, porosity and pure water fux. Mechanical strength was decreased about 33% by adding 1.5 wt.% Al2O3-PDA nanoparticles. The permeation fux of PVC/Al2O3-PDA-0.5 sample reached 38.2 Lm−2 h−1 with a total organic carbon (TOC) content of 56.3 mg L−1.
