A Hierarchically-Nano Structured TiO2-Carbon Nanofibrous Membrane for Concurrent Gravity-Driven Oil-Water Separation

Abstract

Abstract-A membrane with selective wettability and excellent thermal and chemical stability is required for effective oil-water separation. In this work, a novel TiO 2 nanosheet-anchored carbonnanofibers fabricated by using solvothermal method is presented. The hierarchical TiO 2 micro/nanostructure that grows on the surface of carbon nanofibers renders the membrane superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic. Coupled with the characteristic of high porosity and micron-scale pore size, the membrane is capable of separating oil from water by gravity. Thermal analysis show thatthe oil-water separation efficiency is greater than 99%. Furthermore, the membrane has an oil breakthrough pressure up to 3.63m which is the highest breakthrough pressure ever reported. Stability test indicates that the membrane is stable in ultrasonic, thermal and extreme pH conditions. Without compromising the separation efficiency, a permeate flux of 400-700L/m 2 -hr can be achieved.

Improvements in Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes and Their Applications in Water Treatments

“…The problem stems from water pollution, declining water availability, climate change, global population growth and the demand for water-intensive industries [1,2]. One solution to this challenge is to filter out available or polluted water sources to remove pollutants and make drinking water [2,3,4]. Industrial wastewater from the metallurgy, oil and gas industries, mines or chemical industries may be rich in heavy metals, organic and inorganic compounds and chlorine products have become the world's most common pollutants.…”

Development of chemically active metal oxide composite nanofiber filters for water treatment

“…To surface deposition [231][232][233][234]. Many of these have been fabricated for applications beyond water treatment, including air purification [233,235,236] and oil-water separation [234].…”