Electrospinning Inorganic/Organic Nanohybridization Membranes with Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Performance

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nano-porous membrane has been widely used in various fields due to its excellent thermal stability and chemical stability. However, PTFE nanofiber membranes with simultaneous hydrophobic and oleophobic properties are essential to promote the application of PTFE. Here, based on inorganic/organic nanohybridization, we report a strategy for constructing nanostructures on fibers by adding nanoparticles, such as MOF and ZrO2. The results of FTIR and XRD confirmed MOF was synthesized successfully. At the same time, the SEM results showed UiO-66-(COOH)(2) is spherical with an average diameter of 152 nm, and there is no agglomeration, which is suitable for electrospinning. Further, MOF and ZrO2 were payload into PTFE nanofibers. The results of SEM and AFM confirmed nanostructures will be more uniform and pronounced with the increase of UiO-66-(COOH)(2) content, and nanostructures are most obvious when the content of UiO-66-(COOH)(2) is 15%. The introduced nanostructures can increase the oil contact angle of the PTFE nano-porous membrane to 110(degrees) without introducing other groups, and further improve the water contact angle from 133(degrees) to 145(degrees). Meanwhile, the introduction of a certain amount of hydrophilia groups can increase the oil contact angle to more than 120(degrees). The simple strategy is of great significance to expand the application of PTFE fiber membrane in dealing with waste water treatment fields.

Automated summary

This study successfully constructs hydrophobic and oleophobic nanostructures on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nanofibers by loading MOF and ZrO2 nanoparticles. The introduced nanostructures not only increase the oil contact angle and water contact angle of the PTFE nano-porous membrane, but also expand the application of PTFE fiber membrane in the field of waste water treatment.