Smart and flexible PVDF/SEBS membranes reinforced with pyrolytic carbon black nanoparticles from waste tires for enhanced wastewater remediation

Industrial development has led to the generation of environmental contaminants, raising global concerns. With the advancement of structurally complex systems, smart and flexible membranes have gained significant attention for treating contaminated wastewater. This study develops a flexible and intelligent piezocatalytic composite membrane reinforced with 2D carbon nanoparticles derived from the pyrolysis and activation of ground tire rubber (GTR). The membranes, based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), were fabricated using non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) by incorporating styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) at 7.5 wt.% and 2D carbon nanoparticles at varying concentrations (0.5 to 5 wt.%). The size distribution of the carbon nanoparticles and the morphological properties of the membranes were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the membranes were evaluated through tensile tests, electrical conductivity measurements, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and contact angle (CA) analysis. The incorporation of 2D carbon nanoparticles facilitated the transformation of PVDF into the piezoelectric β-phase, with the 3 wt.% carbon-doped membrane exhibiting exceptional mechanical and thermal properties. This membrane also demonstrated a significant increase in electrical conductivity, from 10⁻¹¹ S cm⁻¹ to 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the membrane achieved remarkable degradation efficiencies of 79.07% for methylene blue (MB) and 94.56% for toxic rhodamine B (RhB). This work highlights the successful production of 2D carbon nanoparticles from tire waste and their application in creating polymorphic piezocatalytic membranes with high piezoelectric performance and pollutant degradation capabilities. The findings open new perspectives for membrane-based piezocatalysis as a promising approach for wastewater purification.