Constructing a composite microfiltration carbon membrane by TiO2 and Fe2O3 for efficient separation of oil-water emulsions

Membrane-based separation technology has attracted enormous attention for oil/water emulsion treatment. Here, composite microfiltration carbon membranes (MCMs) were prepared from the precursor of phenolic resin doping with TiO2 and Fe2O3 via the processes of stereotype and pyrolysis. The functional groups, thermal stability, porous structure, microstructure, morphology, and hydrophilicity of the membrane samples were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, bubble pressure method, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and water contact angle, respectively. The effect of dopant amount on the separation performance of MCMs was investigated. The results show that a mixed matrix system is constructed by TiO2 and Fe2O3 in MCMs, which is beneficial for further optimizing the pore size, porosity, and hydrophilicity of MCMs for oily wastewater treatment by varying the dopant amount. The maximum oil rejections are achieved at 98.9% and 99.6% for MCMs with a dopant content of TiO2 and Fe2O3 at 25%, respectively. In brief, this study offers an attractive strategy for improving the separation performance of MCMs for oily wastewater.

Automated summary

Composite microfiltration carbon membranes (MCMs) were prepared by doping phenolic resin with TiO2 and Fe2O3. The effect of dopant amount on the separation performance of MCMs was investigated and it was found that a mixed matrix system constructed by TiO2 and Fe2O3 can optimize the pore size, porosity, and hydrophilicity of MCMs. The maximum oil rejections of 98.9% and 99.6% were achieved with MCMs containing 25% TiO2 and Fe2O3 dopant, respectively.