Preparation, Characterisation and Testing of Photocatalytic Polymeric Membranes with Entrapped or Suspended TiO2

Various cellulose triacetate (CTA) or polysulfone (PSf) membranes with entrapped polycrystalline TiO2 were prepared by using different methods of the so-called phase inversion process. Porosity and permeability of the membranes increased by increasing the amount of entrapped TiO2 while rejection decreased. The photoactivity of entrapped TiO2 for the degradation of congo-red was compared with that of the same quantity of suspended TiO2 and the results indicated that TiO2 was always more efficient when used in suspension. A hybrid configuration consisting of a continuous membrane photoreactor with the photocatalyst in suspension showed to be the most promising one.