Here, we demonstrate direct recovery of water from stable emulsion waste using aerogel membrane. Chitosan-based gel was transformed into highly porous aerogel membrane using bio-origin genipin as cross-linking agent. Aerogel membranes were characterized for their morphology using SEM, chemical composition by FTIR and solid-UV. Further, aerogel was tested for recovery of high quality water from oil spill sample collected from ship breaking yard. High quality (with >99% purity) water was recovered with a flux rate of >600 L·m(-2)·h(-1)·bar(-1). After repeated use, aerogel membranes were tested for greener disposal possibilities by biodegrading membrane in soil.
Keywords: aerogel membrane; biopolymer; emulsion; oil−water separation; wastewater.