Electrospinning superhydrophobic-superoleophilic fibrous PVDF membranes for high-efficiency water-oil separation

Ultrathin superhydrophobic-superoleophilic fibrous poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were prepared by means of electrospinning technique for the purpose of low-cost, high-efficiency water-oil separation. The ultrathin electrospun fibrous PVDF membranes exhibited a high water contact angle up to 153 degrees and nearly zero oil (diesel) contact angle. The surface morphology and hydrophobicity of the membranes can be conveniently tuned by adjusting the PVDF concentration of the electrospinning solutions. The obtained ultrathin fibrous PVDF membranes showed excellent performance in separation of water-in-oil emulsions. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.