Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.547, 136-144, 2019
Electrospun frogspawn structured membrane for gravity-driven oil-water separation
The aim of this study is to prepare a fibrous membrane scaffold that possesses a frogspawn structure for high-efficiency oil-water separation. Polyamic acid was first electrospun onto a rotating wheel-collector to obtain the fibrous membrane. Subsequently, post-processing by immersion in a polydimethylsiloxane solution and a silica nanoparticles suspension, followed by a thermal treatment generated a frogspawn structured fibrous membrane. The obtained membrane achieved superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity, with the water contact angle as high as 155.75 degrees and the oil contact angle lower than 10 degrees. The separation efficiencies of the membrane were higher than 99.55% and the permeate flux was maintained at greater than 4400 L/m(2).h after 20 separation cycles. Additionally, the wettability studies suggested the membrane exhibits high stability because it can resist damages due to high temperature (150 degrees C), acid/basic conditions and organic/inorganic solvents. These findings indicated that this composite membrane has great potential for use in gravity-driven oil-water separation and can extend the range of its application for treatments of oil spills incident, oily wastewater and spent liquor. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Inc.