Composite nanofibrous microfiltration water filter

A novel environmentally friendly co‐extrusion and multiplication technology in combination with a water jet procedure was utilized to produce dual‐component fibrous filters. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) systems were selected as the filter materials. The orientation procedure was shown to greatly enhance the mechanical properties of the fibers as well as the filters. These filters were found to have micron‐size pores, high porosity, and high surface areas. Various physical treatments were applied on these filters which decrease the filter pore size. It was found that filter pore size decreased to 0.2 μm and the mechanical properties were enhanced. Water flux tests and microparticle separation tests were performed on these filters to evaluate their microfiltration behavior. PVDF/HDPE filters exhibit high water flux with low pressure requirement, making them good candidates for microfiltration water filters. In addition, the PVDF/HDPE filters exhibit high separation efficiencies 90% on 1 μm particles, 96% on 2 μm particles, and 99% on 5 and 10 μm particles. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45557.