Development and Testing of Advanced Filtration Membranes for Industrial Wastewater Treatment Applications

Abstract

Industrial effluents generated by sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and metallurgy contain hazardous pollutants including dyes, heavy metals, surfactants, and microplastics, making their treatment a major environmental challenge. Conventional techniques often fail to remove persistent contaminants or operate efficiently at large scales. This research explores the fabrication and testing of advanced PVDF based nanocomposite membranes enhanced with titanium dioxide (TiO₂ ) and graphene oxide (GO) to improve hydrophilicity, antifouling resistance, and filtration performance. Experimental results indicate that hybrid membranes demonstrate superior flux, higher rejection efficiency for dyes and metals, and improved mechanical durability in comparison to conventional polymeric membranes. The study uses simulated industrial wastewater and evaluates parameters such as flux recovery ratio, fouling resistance, and structural stability under different pressure and pH conditions. Findings highlight the strong potential of nanocomposite membranes for industrial wastewater treatment and their ability to reduce operational costs and enhance long-term sustainability. The study also examines utility, industrial relevance, implementation constraints, and future expansion possibilities for broader industrial adoption.