Construction of superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic membranes via in situ oriented NiCo-LDH growth for gravity-driven oil/water emulsion separation

• Published in: Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers Vol. 104; pp. 240 - 249
• Main Authors: Cui, Jiuyun, Wang, Qianqian, Xie, Atian, Lang, Jihui, Zhou, Zhiping, Yan, Yongsheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2019
• Subjects: Emulsion separation; Gravity-driven; Membrane separation; NiCo-LDH; Superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity; Membrane separation; Gravity-driven; NiCo-LDH; Emulsion separation; Superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity
• ISSN: 1876-1070; 1876-1089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2019.08.003

•A sisal-like structured CN@pDA@PVDF hybrid membrane was prepared.•The in-situ growth of oriented NiCo-LDH microcrystals by a simple and low cost approach.•The membrane exhibited low oil adhesion and outstanding durability.•The membrane could effective separate SFE and SSE. The development of superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic membrane is significant for purification of emulsified oily wastewater. However, low flux and membrane fouling still remains a challenge. Herein, a sisal-like structured hybrid membrane is prepared through in situ growth of nickel cobalt layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) microcrystals on membrane surface for oil/water emulsion separation. The as-prepared hybrid membrane (CN@pDA@PVDF) exhibits low oil adhesion, outstanding antifouling performance and superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity. Under gravity driven, the separation experimental results demonstrate the as-prepared membrane can effective separate surfactant-free emulsion (SFE) and surfactant-stabilized emulsion (SSE) with separation efficiency of above 99.4%. Furthermore, with a simple and low cost approach, as well as the significantly enhanced performance, the as-prepared hybrid membrane has bright application prospective in wastewater treatment.