Bio-inspired fabrication of superhydrophilic nanocomposite membrane based on surface modification of SiO2 anchored by polydopamine towards effective oil-water emulsions separation

A new PVDF@pDA@SiO2 nanocomposite membrane was fabricated by virtue of the surface modification of polydopamine anchored SiO2 on PVDF membrane through a facile and eco-friendly preparation process. It possessed the superior superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity properties and presented the out standing antifouling oil performance and high-efficiency separation ability for oil-water emulsions, which mainly resulted from its special surface micro-nano structure and pore induced capillarity phenomenon. Furthermore, the PVDF@pDA@SiO2 nanocomposite membrane also exhibited the splendid separation performance, regeneration ability and universality for various oil-water emulsions separation. In addition, the oil water emulsion separation mechanism was discussed in depth. This work might provide a significant guidance for large-scale production and application of this nanocomposite membrane in the fields of wastewater recovery and drinking water treatment.