PDMS/PVDF Nanofiber Membrane with Hydrophobic Property by Electrospinning for Ultrafast Oil-Water Separation

Abstract

Herein, a hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane-incorporated polyvinylidene fluoride (PDMS/PVDF) nanofiber membrane was prepared by electrospinning method under a certain air humidity. The properties and separation performance of PDMS/PVDF nanofiber membrane were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the oil-water separation test. The results demonstrate that the PDMS/PVDF membrane have better properties and performance than PVDF nanofiber membrane; with the increase in air humidity, electrospinning membrane had superior properties and separation performance. Additionally, when the PDMS concentration was 5.0 wt.%, the membrane had the best hydrophobicity. Moreover, for oil-water separation performance, the maximum flux could reach 1827.8 kg m^-2 h^-1. In addition, it has a water contact angle of 145.2º and an oil contact angle of 0º. Simultaneously, the membrane prepared under low humidity had continuous structure and little bead structure, which might bring higher crystallinity. Also, after 20 cycles, the separation efficiency could still reach about 95.0%, which showed excellent reusability and long-term stability.

Keywords:
PDMS; PVDF; oil-water separation; fibrous coat; electrostatic spinning