Silica nanoparticle modified polysulfone/polypropylene membrane for separation of oil-water emulsions
Lebo Tjale, Heidi Richards, Oranso T. Mahlangu, Lebea N. Nthunya
Abstract
Oil spillage and industrial discharge of oily wastewater threaten the health of the human beings and the environmental life. To perform oil cleaning from the water bodies, several physicochemical methods have been employed. However, these methods experience various challenges hindering their absolute usage. To curb these problems, smart materials are fabricated, thus gravitating interests towards research. The current study provides a comprehensive outline for preparation and evaluation of hybrid membranes towards separation of oil from water. The membranes were prepared via a facile phase separation process using polysulfone/polypropylene casting solution. To improve oil filtration of these membranes, perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane-modified silica nanoparticles (FOTS-SiO2NPs) were embedded into the casting solution. Based on contact angle (CA) and membrane pore sizes, hydrophobic-oleophilic and porous membranes were synthesized. Also, the liquid pressure (LEP) correlated with membrane CA and reduced pore sizes upon membrane modification. Interestingly, incorporation of the FOTS-SiO2NPs improved membrane oleophilicity, thus representing high performing membrane during oil-water separation. Respective oil flux and separation efficiency of 84.9 L/h·m2 and 83.4% were obtained. These results demonstrate a one-step success towards efficient oil cleaning from the polluted water sources.