Ultrathin g-C 3 N 4 composite Bi 2 WO 6 embedded in PVDF UF membrane with enhanced permeability, anti-fouling performance and durability for efficient removal of atrazine.

A novel BiWO-g-CN/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite ultrafiltration (UF) membrane (BWO-CN/PVDF) was prepared by microwave hydrothermal and immersion precipitation phase transformation method. The BWO-CN/PVDF-0.10 exhibited an outstanding photocatalytic removal rate of atrazine (ATZ) (97.65 %) under the simulated sunlight and enhanced permeate flux (1356.09 L·m·h). The multiple optical and electrochemical detection confirmed that combining ultrathin g-CN and BiWO can increase carrier separation rate and prolong its lifetime. The quenching test revealed that h and O were the prominent reactive species. Additionally, after a 10-cycle photocatalytic process, the BWO-CN/PVDF membrane presented remarkable reusability and durability. And it showed excellent anti-fouling performance by filtering BSA, HA, SA, and Songhua River under simulated solar irradiation. The molecular dynamic (MD) simulation showed that the combination of g-CN and BiWO can enhance the interaction between BWO-CN and PVDF. This work opens up a new idea for designing and constructing a highly efficient photocatalytic membrane for water treatment.