Multifunctional Oil Absorption with Macroporous Polystyrene Fibers Incorporating Silver-Doped ZnO

Abstract

Hydrophobic microporous polystyrene (PS) fibers are fabricated by a solvent-induced phase-separation-assisted electrospinning method. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver-doped zinc oxide (Ag-ZnO) nanomaterials with variable morphologies are added to the PS fibers, to investigate the influence of multifunctional nanofiller addition on the porosity and consequent oil-adsorbing properties for different oil types. The doping of silver as well as the uniformity in particle distribution are confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and the energy-dispersive spectral analyses. The porosity of the fibers and their crystallinity effect depend on the hydrophobicity and surface properties of these microporous nanofilled fibers. Ag-ZnO, specifically in 2 wt %, enhanced the pore size and distribution in PS porous fibers, thereby enhancing the oil-adsorbing property and its hydrophobicity. In-depth analysis of the oil adsorption mechanism is done for the fibers, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to demonstrate its correlation with the structural integrity of the fibers. The PS/2Ag-ZnO composite also exhibits the highest antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus, a general indication of antibiological fouling properties of these oil-separating films. The antifouling/antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles and high oil sorption capacity of the highly porous PS composites show great potential for use in water-treatment-related applications.

Synthesis and electrospinning of multiscale‐ordered PLA/LDH@AgGB composite nanofibrous membrane for antibacterial and oil–water separation

“…The current preparing methods of nanofiber membranes are stretching method, 16 self‐assembly method, 17 phase transformation method, 18 and electrospinning method 8 . Recently, researchers focused on manufacturing & developing the bio‐based poly (lactic acid) (PLA) electrospinning fiber membranes, since it had biodegraded ability, high specific surface area, high pore connectivity, and selective wetting 19,20 . However, the PLA electrospinning fiber membranes still have two main deficiencies, that is, low oil–water separation efficiency and easy to contaminated.…”

The Separation of Oil/Water Mixtures by Modified Melamine and Polyurethane Foams: A Review

“…Since the complex configuration of the surfactant stabilized water/oil emulsions causes their separation a very complicated process, it is very necessary to explore the nature of emulsions and the strategies required to resolve their separation related issues. Generally, the oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions are very common in this intense mix of oil and water [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. The floatation techniques such as dissolved air floatation, dispersed air floatation and electroflotation techniques are utilized for separating the oil/water emulsions, but numerous problems are associated with those methods [ 13 ].…”

“…Structural strength, manufacturability and multifunctionality of polymers are preferable for manufacturing membranes for oil/water separation with some cases demanding surface modification for hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties [ 22 ]. Both phase inversion methods involving complex physical-chemical processes and in situ elimination methods are applied for generating porous polymeric membranes, which is much helpful in selectively separating oil/water mixtures and emulsions [ 12 , 23 ]. Micro/nano particles are also included in various matrices to develop additional characteristics such as mechanical strength, antibacterial properties and pollutant degradability [ 24 ].…”

On the Formation Mechanism of Nonsolvent-Induced Porous Polylactide Electrospun Fibers

“…31 More importantly, the porous structure not only appears on the surface but also appears throughout the fibers, which drastically increases the surface area. 32 The fiber size and the pore morphology can be tuned by changing the compositions of the polymer solutions. These PS fibrous sorbents with superhydrophobic properties can selectively adsorb oils while repel water and show an exceptional oil adsorption capability.…”

“…In our previous report, the solution of polystyrene (PS) dissolved in cosolvents composed of a good solvent chlorobenzene (CB) and a nonsolvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can be electrospun into macroporous fibers with a uniform fiber size . More importantly, the porous structure not only appears on the surface but also appears throughout the fibers, which drastically increases the surface area . The fiber size and the pore morphology can be tuned by changing the compositions of the polymer solutions.…”