PH-Induced switches of the oil- and water-selectivity of crosslinked polymeric membranes for gravity-driven oil–water separation. Issue 35 (17th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Ching-Ting; Liu, Ying-Ling
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 4:Issue 35(2016)
• Page Start: 13543
• Page End: 13548
• Publication Date: 2016-08-17
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ta05968f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A membrane with pH-induced switchable oil- and water-selectivity for gravity-driven continuous oil–water separation. Abstract : Separation of an oil and water mixture in an energy-saving approach is highly attractive for addressing both environmental and energy issues. To achieve this goal, this work reports a porous membrane (CR-PBz-FbM), which is made of a crosslinked electrospun polybenzoxazine fiber mat and exhibits gravity-driven continuous oil-water separation and pH-induced switches of oil- and water-selectivity. The membrane shows a toluene permeation flux of 21 750 L m −2 h −1 for immiscible oil–water separation, and a water permeation flux of 14 950 L m −2 h −1 after it has been turned from oil-selective to water-selective. The membrane still exhibits switching ability on the oil- and water-selectivity for separation of oil-water emulsions. Moreover, the CR-PBz-FbM membrane is mechanically robust and has high chemical stability. The attractive properties of the CR-PBz-FbM membrane lead to significant progress in oil–water separation from both environmental-protection and energy-saving viewpoints.