Hydrophilic modification of the commercial ceramic microfiltration membranes is processed by the nano-TiO2 coating. The nano-coating does not form a separation layer but increases the hydrophilic character of membrane surface. The modified microfiltration membranes are used to treat stable oil-in-water emulsions. The results show that the ceramic membrane modified by 2 mol/L Ti(SO4)(2) solution is the more suitable in the ME process. Under the following operation conditions: cross-flow velocity of 5 m/s, trans-membrane pressure of 0.16 MPa, feed temperature of 40 degrees C. the modified membrane has the better stable flux, which is higher than that of the unmodified one. The oil concentration of the filtrate is no more than 10 mg/L if the oil concentration of the feed is not higher than 4 g/L due to the existence of the hydrophilic nano-TiO2 coating, indicating the modified ceramic microfiltration membrane can be directly applied in the treatment of a stable oil-water emulsion. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.