Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-03026-y ORIGINAL PAPER Novel polyvinylidene fuoride/lead‑doped zinc oxide adsorptive membranes for enhancement of the removal of reactive textile dye R. Ben Dassi 1  · B. Chamam 1  · J. P. Méricq 2  · C. Faur 2  · L. El Mir 3  · I. Trabelsi 1  · M. Heran 2 Received: 30 July 2020 / Revised: 11 October 2020 / Accepted: 3 November 2020 © Islamic Azad University (IAU) 2020 Abstract Novel hybrid polyvinylidene fuoride/lead-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles ultrafltration membranes were successfully fab- ricated for the removal of Reactive Black 5 textile dye. The matrix membranes embedded with various weights of nanopar- ticles (5, 10 and 20 wt% of polyvinylidene fuoride) prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation wet process method. The membranes’ morphology structure, surface, chemical composition and hydrophilicity were characterized by scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer analysis and water contact angle. The performances in terms of permeability, porosity, permeate fux and capacities of Reactive Black 5 textile dye retention were evaluated. Whereas the addition of low concentration of lead-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles doesn’t signifcantly modify polyvinylidene fuoride membranes structure and performance, the addition of 20 wt% of nanoparticles to casting solution modifed the morphology, led to reduce the contact angle from 77° to 67° and enhanced the hydrophilicity of membranes. Static sorption and dynamic fltration were performed to evaluate the capacity of membrane to remove the Reactive Black 5 dye. Results showed the polyvinylidene fuoride/lead-doped zinc oxide composite membranes exhibit high efciency in the adsorption and retention of Reactive Black 5 textile dye in comparison with polyvinylidene fuoride neat. The addition of 20 wt % of nanoparticles in membrane matrix showed high color removal rate (98%) and high adsorption properties in comparison with pure polyvi- nylidene fuoride membrane. With simple water cleaning, without addition of any chemical agent, the membranes recovered high performance. Editorial responsibility: S. Hussain. * B. Chamam baha.chamam@gmail.com 1 Water Researches and Technologies Center, Borj-Cedria Technopark, University of Carthage, 8020 Soliman, Tunisia 2 Institut Européen des Membranes,UMR 5635, Université de Montpellier, 300 Avenue du Professeur Emile Jeanbrau, 34090 Montpellier, France 3 Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, Gabes University, Cité Erriadh 6072, Gabes, Tunisia