Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes have become a favored choice for membrane filtration because of their outstanding mechanical characteristics, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and ease of handling. Nevertheless, the hydrophobic nature of PVDF membranes can result in fouling, which diminishes their efficiency over time. This study explores the impact of ZnO-Nanoclay on the properties and performance of mixed matrix membranes made from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) at different loading percentages (0, 1, and 3 wt%). The ZnO-Nanoclay nanoparticles were synthesized using environmentally friendly methods, characterized, and blended into PVDF matrices via a solution-casting technique, resulting in a series of membranes. The synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The resulting mixed-matrix membranes underwent comprehensive analyses to assess their structure and surface properties, employing SEM, XRD, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and contact-angle measurements. Furthermore, tensile, antibacterial, and barrier properties were evaluated. Integrating ZnO-Nanoclay into PVDF membranes greatly improves antifouling properties, achieving inhibition rates of 99.92% at a clay-loading percentage of 3 wt% and increasing water-flux rates by 16% compared to pure PVDF membranes at 1 wt%. In addition, ZnO-Nanoclay nanoparticles significantly boost the mechanical properties of PVDF membranes, enhancing maximum strength by 500% at 3 wt% loading. This study examines the interplay between the structure, properties, and performance of mixed-matrix membranes by comparing different PVDF membranes that were mixed with different nanoclay composites, providing significant insights into improving these membranes through the incorporation of nanoclay composites to enhance their overall properties and effectiveness.

Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes are essential in separation processes; however, their inherent hydrophobicity can limit their effectiveness in water-intensive applications. This study aims to enhance PES membranes by modifying them with a NiFe₂O₄–nanoclay composite nanoparticle to improve both their hydrophilicity and photocatalytic potential as a photocatalytic membrane. The nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol–gel auto-combustion method and incorporated into PES membranes through mixed-matrix embedding (1 wt% and 3 wt%) and surface coating. X-ray diffraction confirmed the cubic spinel structure of the composite nanoparticles, which followed the second order kinetic reaction during the photodegradation–adsorption of crystal violet. The mixed-matrix membranes displayed a remarkable 170% increase in water flux and a 25% improvement in mechanical strength, accompanied by a slight decrease in contact angle at 1 wt% of nanoparticle loading. In contrast, the surface-coated membranes demonstrated a significant reduction in contact angle to 18°, indicating a highly hydrophilic surface and increased roughness. All membranes achieved high dye removal rates of 98–99%, but only the coated membrane system exhibited approximately 50% photocatalytic degradation, following mixed kinetics. These results highlight the critical importance of surface modification in advancing PES membranes, as it significantly reduces fouling and enhances water–material interaction qualities essential for future filtration and photocatalytic applications. Exploring hybrid strategies that combine both embedding and coating approaches may yield even greater synergies in membrane functionality.