CNTs/TiO2 composite membrane with adaptable wettability for on-demand oil/water separation

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2020-12, Vol.275, p.124011, Article 124011
• Main Authors: Yan, Luke, Liu, Chaohui, Xia, Junyuan, Chao, Min, Wang, Wenqin, Gu, Jincui, Chen, Tao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CNTs/TiO2; Pre-wetting membrane; Selective wettability; Stability; Switchable separation
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124011

Pre-wetting induced separation membranes are of great significance due to their unique property for separating oil/water mixtures. Herein, we have presented a facile strategy to prepare a separation membrane by integrating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). The obtained CNTs/TiO2 composite membrane has presented smart wettability to activate on-demand separation for expected components from oil/water mixtures. In addition, it can maintain its separation efficiency above 99.1% even after ten cyclic separations. It is rather remarkable that this composite membrane has taken on excellent separation performance with the flux up to 40,000 L m−2 h−1 bar−1for water-in-dichloromethane emulsion and separation efficiency above 98.89%, which has surpassed most of the reported separation membranes to date. Furthermore, the CNTs/TiO2 membrane has feathered excellent corrosion resistance ability under harsh conditions (HCl, NaOH, NaCl) for 7 days, and can show stable permeation flux and efficiency towards various emulsions. This work will provide further guidance for developing CNTs-based membranes in order to realize task-oriented oily water treatment. [Display omitted] •A pre-wetting separation membrane was built via an easy strategy.•It has shown smart wettability for on-demand oil/water separation.•Its flux has surpassed most of the previously reported membranes.•It has feathered excellent anti-corrosion property.