Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/copper oxide (CuO) nanocomposite membranes were
fabricated at different CuO nanoparticles loading levels using the phase inversion
method. The fabricated membranes were tested through two filtration cycles in a
submerged membrane system to remove bovine serum albumin (BSA) from water.
Results showed that the hydrophilicity and porosity of the nanocomposite membranes were enhanced with an increase of CuO nanoparticles loading. The field
emission electron microscopy images from the membrane surface demonstrated
that the number and size of pores increased with addition of CuO nanoparticles.
The atomic force microscopy test displayed that all nanocomposite membranes
showed lower surface roughness in comparison to neat PVC membranes. The
obtained results from membrane performance indicated that the irreversible fouling ratio for neat PVC membranes in the first and second cycles of filtration
decreased for PVC/CuO-1.5 membranes. Compared with the neat PVC membrane, the membrane containing CuO exhibited better capabilities such as the
enhanced permeation flux, higher BSA rejection rate, and better antifouling properties.