Position：Home >> Abstract

A high β-phase PVDF hybrid membrane with enhanced
 piezoelectricity for antifouling
Authors： LIU Qingyu, HU Binghao, CUI Zhenyu
Units： School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387， China
KeyWords： polyvinylidene fluoride; β-phase; piezoelectric; antifouling 
ClassificationCode：TQ028.8
year,volume(issue):pagination： 2026, 46(3):31-41

Abstract：

Piezoelectric membranes can enhance the surface charge density during operation through the piezoelectric effect, thereby strengthening electrostatic repulsion and forming an effective energy barrier to reduce pollutant adsorption on the membrane surface. Therefore, utilizing the piezoelectric effect offers a new strategy for improving membrane antifouling performance. In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microfiltration membranes with different β-phase contents were prepared by adjusting the quenching bath temperature and sodium chloride concentration, and the membrane preparation parameters corresponding to the highest β-phase content were determined. On this basis, carbon nanotubes were doped into the casting solution to fabricate piezoelectric-responsive CNTs@PVDF hybrid membranes. The morphology and surface properties of the membranes were characterized, along with their dynamic piezoelectric performance under cyclic pressure. The effects of constant pressure and pulsed pressure on the surface charge density and antifouling performance were investigated. The results showed that compared with pure PVDF membrane, the hydrophilicity, Zeta potential, and piezoelectric properties of the CNTs@PVDF hybrid membrane were significantly improved. Moreover, under pulsed pressure mode, the rejection rate of the CNTs@PVDF hybrid membrane for yeast increased from 43.1% to 84.6%, compared to that under constant pressure mode. The positive piezoelectric effect exhibited by the CNTs@PVDF hybrid membrane remarkably enhanced its antifouling performance, raising the flux recovery rate from 57.6% to 84.3%. Based on the changes in membrane surface charge density and the antifouling performance results, an antifouling mechanism of “piezoelectric-enhanced charge density” is proposed, which provides a reference for leveraging the positive piezoelectric effect to improve antifouling performance. 

Funds：

国家自然科学基金面上项目（22478302）

AuthorIntro：
第一作者简介： 刘庆宇（2000-），男，天津人，硕士研究生，主要从事膜材料制备及应用研究.*通讯作者，E-mail：cuizheyhh@163.com

Reference：

［1］ Xu Q, Ji X, Tian J, et al. Inner surface hydrophilic modification of PVDF membrane with tea polyphenols/silica composite coating［J］. Polymers, 2021,13(23):4186.
［2］Song Y, Yan M, Xu Z, et al. Preparation of PVDF@TiO2 hybrid membrane and the research of the “hydration layer & rigid layer obstruction-electrostatic coalescence” anti-oil fouling mechanism［J］. J Membr Sci, 2024,710:123159.
［3］Wang Z, Jin J, Hou D, et al. Tailoring surface charge and wetting property for robust oil-fouling mitigation in membrane distillation［J］. J Membr Sci, 2016,516:113-122.
［4］Gholami S, Llacuna J L, Vatanpour V, et al. Impact of a new functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on antifouling and permeability of PVDF nanocomposite membranes for dye wastewater treatment［J］. Chemosphere, 2022,294:133699.
［5］Jiang L, Xie H, Hou Y, et al. Enhanced piezoelectricity of a PVDF-based nanocomposite utilizing high-yield dispersions of exfoliated few-layer MoS2［J］. Ceram Int, 2019,45(9):11347-11352.
［6］Zhang Y, Ye L, Zhao W, et al. Antifouling mechanism of the additive-free β-PVDF membrane in water purification process: Relating the surface electron donor monopolarity to membrane-foulant interactions［J］. J Membr Sci, 2020,601:117873.
［7］Iyer A, Tiwari S, Dubey D K, et al. Understanding the effect of CNTs on the piezoelectric properties of PVDF and PVDF-TrFE: Combined experimental and simulation study［J］. Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2025,27(32):16899-16911.
［8］Yan J, Wang L, Qin Y, et al. An efficient charge extraction strategy for high-performance piezoelectric nanogenerators via a 3D nanostructured conductive network［J］. Nano Energy, 2025,140:111037.
［9］王建宇, 焦瑶瑶, 崔振宇. 荷正电导电纳滤膜的构建及其分离性能研究［J］. 膜科学与技术, 2025,45(4):65-76.
［10］Lin B, Chen G, He F, et al. Preparation of MWCNTs/PVDF composites with high-content β form crystalline of PVDF and enhanced dielectric constant by electrospinning-hot pressing method［J］. Diamond Relat Mater, 2023,131:109556.
［11］Sharafkhani S, Kokabi M. High performance flexible actuator: PVDF nanofibers incorporated with axially aligned carbon nanotubes［J］. Compos Part B-Eng, 2021,222:109060.
［12］Huang L, Bu X, Zhang P, et al. The triboelectric nanogenerator with dual functions of sensing and power generation based on electrospinning［J］. ACS Appl Energy Mater, 2024,7(19):8767-8776.
［13］Chen N, Zhao J, Shi L, et al. Thermally induced phase separation PVDF membrane fabricated by using NaCl coagulation bath: Relation of membrane surface morphology and permeation performance［J］. J Membr Sci, 2024,699:122666.
［14］Guan K, Sasaki Y, Jia Y, et al. Interfacial polymerization of thin film selective membrane layers: Effect of polyketone substrates［J］. J Membr Sci, 2021,640:119801.
［15］Zuo J, Li Z, Wei C, et al. Fine tuning the pore size and permeation performances of thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) -prepared PVDF membranes with saline water as quenching bath［J］. J Membr Sci, 2019,577:79-90.
［16］Mohamat R, Abu Bakar S, Mohamed A, et al. Methylene blue rejection and antifouling properties of different carbonaceous additives-based polyvinylidene fluoride membrane［J］. Mater Today Commun, 2023,35:105862.
［17］Su Y P, Sim L N, Li X, et al. Anti-fouling piezoelectric PVDF membrane: Effect of morphology on dielectric and piezoelectric properties［J］. J Membr Sci, 2021,620:118818.
［18］汤申艺, 武彪, 崔振宇. 基于羟醛缩合反应构建电中性中空纤维疏松纳滤分离层及染料去除的研究［J］. 膜科学与技术, 2024,44(2):125-133.
［19］Hsiao Y, Chen Y, Liu C. Tailoring asymmetrical piezoelectric responses in PVDF-TrFE composites for advanced energy storage applications［J］. Nano Trends, 2025,9:100065.

Service：
【Download】【Collect】

《膜科学与技术》编辑部 Address: Bluestar building, 19 east beisanhuan road, chaoyang district, Beijing; 100029 Postal code; Telephone：010-80492417/010-80485372; Fax：010-80485372 ; Email：mkxyjs@163.com

京公网安备11011302000819号