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Title NaOH-Induced Fabrication of a Superhydrophilic and Underwater Superoleophobic Styrene-Acrylate Copolymer Filtration Membrane for Effective Separation of Emulsified Light Oil-Polluted Water Mixtures
Type JournalPaper
Keywords Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, NaOH-induced phase-inversion, Styrene-acrylate copolymer, (light) oil-polluted water separation, superhydrophilicity, Low-adhesive underwater superoleophobicity
Abstract Oil-polluted water mixtures are difficult to be well separated and thus it is considered as global challenge. A superior superhydrophilic and low-adhesive underwater superoleophobic styrene-acrylate copolymer filtration membrane is constructed using a salt (NaOH)-induced phase-inversion approach. The as-fabricated filtration membrane provides a hierarchical-structured surface morphology, three-dimensional high density open-rough porous geometry with a special chemical composition including high accessible hydrophilic -COO- agents, which all are of great important for long-term usage of immiscible/emulsified (light) oil-polluted wastewater separation. The separation is performed with a high efficiency and a high flux under eighter a gravity-driven force or a small applied pressure of 0.1 bar. The filtration membrane indicates an excellent anti-fouling property and is easily recycled during multiple cycles. The outstanding performance of the filtration membrane in separating oil-polluted water mixtures, and the cost-effective synthetic approach as well as commercially scaled up initial materials all highlight its potential for practical applications.
Researchers Somayeh Delbina (Fifth Researcher), Atefeh Gharloghi (Fourth Researcher), Seyyed Adib Katourani (Third Researcher), Seyed Mojtaba Amininasab (Second Researcher), Zahed Shami (First Researcher)