Rational design of dopamine-decorated gradient structure membrane with novel hydrophibic/underwater-oleophobic for oil/water separation

The shortage of water resources and the aggravation of water pollution have become global environmental problems. The improvement of the separation performance and flux is still a key challenge that restrict the preparation of high-performance filtration membrane. The gradient structure fibrous membranes were designed and prepared using electrospinning nanofiber and polypropylene/low-melt-point polyester (PP/LPET) micro-fibrous and rein-forced via needle-punching and hot-pressing. And the as-prepared membrane was func-tionalized and directly decorated by dopamine copolymerizes. The novel gradient membrane turned from a hydrophobic state to hydrophilic state, and had excellent me-chanical and water transmission properties. Mostly importantly, the as-prepared hydro-philic gradient membranes showed durable oil-fouling repellency and the separation efficiency of oil/water mixture approximate 99% and the flux reach 10,278 +/- 1512 L m-2 h-1. This method provides a feasible solution to overcome the high filtration resistance of electrospinning nanofiber membrane, as well as for the preparation of low-cost and high-performance composite membranes and structural regulation of functional membranes.(c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

The shortage of water resources and water pollution have become global environmental problems. The challenge lies in improving the separation performance and flux of high-performance filtration membranes. In this study, gradient structure fibrous membranes were designed and prepared, which showed hydrophilic properties and excellent mechanical and water transmission properties. The as-prepared hydrophilic gradient membranes demonstrated durable oil-fouling repellency with a separation efficiency of approximately 99% for oil/water mixture and a flux of 10,278 +/- 1512 L m-2 h-1. This method provides a feasible solution for high filtration resistance of electrospinning nanofiber membranes and the preparation of low-cost and high-performance composite membranes and functional membranes.