LAUSR

CuFe2O4 nanocrystals with the size about 60 nm were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions, and doped them into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes for enhancing their photocatalytic performance. The morphology, phase, and photoelectric performance of CuFe2O4/PVDF membranes were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS), scanning transmission microscopy (SEM), and transient photoelectrochemical analysis. As a result, the morphologies of CuFe2O4 nanocrystals could change with the concentration of NaOH solution under hydrothermal conditions. CuFe2O4 nanocrystals showed strong facet-dependent photoelectric and photocatalytic properties. PVDF membrane doped with CuFe2O4 nanocubes showed excellent photocatalytic activity of Congo red degradation (95%), and kept the good self-cleaning performance after five circles. The flux and rejection performance displayed the CuFe2O4 nanocubes/PVDF membrane kept high water flux (40 L/m2 h) and Congo red rejection (99%), and the composite membrane have good potential in water treatment applications. Schematic diagram of the removal of Congo red dye from CuFe2O4/PVDF membrane. Schematic diagram of the removal of Congo red dye from CuFe2O4/PVDF membrane. CuFe2O4 nanocrystals were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The CuFe2O4 nanocubes showed the higher photoelectrochemical performance. The CuFe2O4 /PVDF membrane showed the better photocatalytic performance. CuFe2O4 nanocrystals were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The CuFe2O4 nanocubes showed the higher photoelectrochemical performance. The CuFe2O4 /PVDF membrane showed the better photocatalytic performance.