PVDF‐Based Electrospun Nanofibers for Oil/Water Separation: A Review
Kgabo Phillemon Matabola, Teboho Clement Mokhena, Mokae F. Bambo, Thabang Hendrica Mokhothu, Joe S. Modise, Mokgaotsa Jonas Mochane
Abstract
Abstract The rising widespread oil‐impacted wastewater warrants an urgent call for innovative approaches to the handling of oily wastewater. A variety of techniques has been investigated to treat oil‐impacted water, and they are found to be inefficient. Electrospun nanofibers emerge as the viable technique to treat oily wastewater precisely owing to their high specific surface areas and interconnected nanoscale pore structures. In this review, a brief background on the study is provided followed by the environmental pollution by the oily wastewater. Subsequent to that, the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) modification methods are also presented followed by the physicochemical properties of both the electrospun PVDF blends and the PVDF‐based composites. Furthermore, the performances of the PVDF‐based composites in oil/water separation are described. It is concluded with the future prospects for using PVDF‐based composites for oil/water separation.