On-demand separation of oil-water mixtures

Adv Mater. 2012 Jul 17;24(27):3666-71. doi: 10.1002/adma.201201364. Epub 2012 Jun 12.

Abstract

In this work, the first-ever membrane-based single unit operation that enables gravity driven, on-demand separation of various oil-water mixtures is developed. Using this methodology, the on-demand separation of free oil and water, oil-in-water emulsions, and water-in-oil emulsions is demonstrated, with ≥99.9% separation efficiency. A scaled-up apparatus to separate larger quantities (several liters) of oil-water emulsions is also developed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkanes / chemistry
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry
  • Emulsions / chemistry*
  • Oils / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alkanes
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Emulsions
  • Oils
  • Water
  • baysilon
  • n-hexadecane