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Developing a PVDF/nTiO2-(n-1)Fe(OH)3 modified membrane for domestic wastewater treatment in mining areas as an alternative water source for mine backfilling

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Abstract

In this study, the PVDF/nTiO2-(n-1)Fe(OH)3 modified membrane was prepared by the layer-by-layer self-assembly method, and it was applied in the moving bed-ultraviolet photocatalytic membrane bioreactor (MB-UVPMBR) system. The results demonstrate that the modified PVDF/6TiO2-5Fe(OH)3 membrane exhibits excellent hydrophilicity, with the water contact angle reduced to 26°. The pure water flux reaches a maximum of 551.65 L·m− 2·h− 1. Sludge bulking is effectively suppressed, enhancing anti-fouling performance. The initial transmembrane pressure (TMP) value is lower than that of the original membrane, while photocatalytic degradation capability is improved. Within the MB-UVPMBR system, this modified membrane significantly enhances removal rates for total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) – achieving 96.66% and 94.13% respectively – and markedly delays membrane fouling. The cleaning cycle is extended by 2.74 times compared to conventional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. This study provides a viable technical pathway for the efficient treatment and reuse of domestic wastewater in backfilling operations, holding significant importance for reducing mine backfilling costs and achieving water resource recycling.

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Inner Mongolia University of Technology (No. BS2021045) , the Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation (No. 2021LHBS02001) and Zhungeer Banner Key Research and Development Program (No. 2024YF-07) for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Light Industry and Textiles, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot, 010080, PR China

    Haoyan Zhang, Peiling Guo & Jing Luo

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  1. Haoyan Zhang
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  2. Peiling Guo
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  3. Jing Luo
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Contributions

Z. wrote the main manuscript text and the research. G. prepared figures. L. responsible for guidance and review of revisions . All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to
Jing Luo.

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Zhang, H., Guo, P. & Luo, J. Developing a PVDF/nTiO2-(n-1)Fe(OH)3 modified membrane for domestic wastewater treatment in mining areas as an alternative water source for mine backfilling.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-48127-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-48127-9

Keywords

  • Backfill mining
  • Waste recycling
  • Membrane bioreactor
  • Layer-by-layer self-assembly
  • Modified membrane

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