Oil-polluted
water mixtures are difficult to separate, and thus,
they are considered as a global challenge. A superior superhydrophilic
and low-adhesive underwater superoleophobic styrene-acrylate copolymer
filtration membrane is constructed using a salt (NaOH)-induced phase-inversion
approach. The as-fabricated filtration membrane provides a hierarchical-structured
surface morphology and three-dimensional high density open-rough porous
geometry with a special chemical composition including highly accessible
hydrophilic −COO– agents, which all are of
great importance for long-term usage of immiscible/emulsified (light)
oil-polluted wastewater separation. The separation is performed with
a high efficiency and a high flux under either a gravity-driven force
or a small applied pressure of 0.1 bar. The filtration membrane indicates
an excellent anti-fouling property and is easily recycled during multiple
cycles. The outstanding performance of the filtration membrane in
separating oil-polluted water mixtures and the cost-effective synthetic
approach as well as commercially scaled-up initial materials all highlight
its potential for practical applications.
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