Photo-excited fibrous membranes for enhanced water disinfection

Water pollution, particularly from pathogenic contaminants, poses a pressing global challenge, necessitating innovative solutions for effective disinfection. Nanocomposite membranes have emerged as a promising approach due to their customizable structure, tunability, and ability to incorporate functional molecules at scale. This study introduces the development of advanced polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) membranes, fabricated through electrospinning and enhanced with the in situ growth of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) using a plasma treatment and seed-assisted growth technique. The integration of photosensitive ZnO NRs not only enhances the membrane's surface properties but also provides anti-fouling capabilities by effectively inhibiting biofilm formation. The study further investigates the impact of light exposure on disinfection efficiency, demonstrating that ZnO NRs generate reactive oxygen species (ROSs) under various light conditions, including visible room light and UV pre-activation. These ROSs enhance antibacterial performance, making the membranes highly effective against pathogens. Results show that the membranes achieve antibacterial rates of 86.67 ± 11.55 % under 60 min of visible light irradiation and 77.78 ± 8.40 % with just 40 s of UV pre-activation. This significant performance demonstrates the membranes' potential as a cost-effective, non-pharmacological solution for water disinfection, combining robust antifouling properties with scalability for practical applications in water treatment systems. The light-adaptive disinfection mechanism enables round-the-clock operation, making it particularly suitable for off-grid and resource-limited settings. By leveraging the dual benefits of flexibility and light-activated antibacterial action, this research offers a sustainable pathway toward enhancing water safety and public health. • Plasma-seeded ZnO/PVDF-HFP membrane achieves 86.67 % E.coli inactivation under 60-min visible light. • 40-s UV pre-activation elevates bacterial inhibition to 77.78 % via ROS-mediated charge dynamics. • Light-responsive ZnO nanorods maintain over 85 % efficiency across UV–visible spectra.