Preparation and characterization of Pd/Fe bimetallic nanoparticles immobilized on Al2O3/PVDF membrane: Parameter optimization and dechlorination of dichloroacetic acid

Using a liquid-solid phase inversion method, a hybrid matrix poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane was prepared with alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticle addition. Pd/Fe nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully immobilized on the Al₂O₃/PVDF membrane, which was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The micrographs showed that the Pd/Fe NPs were dispersed homogeneously. Several important experimental parameters were optimized, including the mechanical properties, contact angle and surface area of Al₂O₃/PVDF composite membranes with different Al₂O₃ contents. At the sametime, the ferrous ion concentration and the effect of hydrophilization were studied. The results showed that the modified Al₂O₃/PVDF membrane functioned well as a support. The Al₂O₃/PVDF membrane with immobilized Pd/Fe NPs exhibited high efficiency in terms of dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) dechlorination. Additionally, a reaction pathway for DCAA dechlorination by Pd/Fe NPs immobilized on the Al₂O₃/PVDF membrane system was proposed.