Modification strategies of polyacrylonitrile ultrafiltration membrane using TiO2 for enhanced antifouling performance in water treatment

•Novel membranes based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/TiO2 composites were developed.•TiO2 was introduced in PAN by ex situ, in situ methods and surface modification.•Ultrafiltration of coolant lubricant and bovine serum albumin feeds was carried out.•Membrane self-cleaning ability from surface contamination was studied under UV-lamp.•PAN with 0.5% TiO2 nanoparticles had optimal transport characteristics.