Anti-fouling graphene oxide based nanocomposites membrane for oil-water emulsion separation

Water Sci Technol. 2018 Mar;77(5-6):1179-1185. doi: 10.2166/wst.2017.634.

Abstract

Anti-fouling copper hydroxide nanowires (CHNs)-graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites membrane was fabricated by a vacuum-assisted filtration self-assembly process. CHNs were covered on the surface and inserted into the interlayers of the GO nanosheets to form the rough surface and nanostructure channels. The membrane with water contact angles (CAs) of 53° and oil CAs of 155° exhibited superior stability, hydrophilicity, underwater superoleophobicity and ultralow oil adhesion, and hence it could separate the oil-water emulsion with a high efficiency of >99%. This membrane showed the combined advantages of high oil rejection rate and ultralow membrane fouling, making it promising for practical oil-water emulsion separation applications.

MeSH terms

  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Emulsions
  • Filtration
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Hydroxides / chemistry*
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water Purification

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Hydroxides
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • copper hydroxide
  • Water
  • Graphite
  • Copper