NaOH-Induced Fabrication of a Superhydrophilic and Underwater Superoleophobic Styrene-Acrylate Copolymer Filtration Membrane for Effective Separation of Emulsified Light Oil-Polluted Water Mixtures.

Oil-polluted water mixtures are difficult to separate, and thus, they are considered as a global challenge. A superior superhydrophilic and low-adhesive underwater superoleophobic styrene-acrylate copolymer filtration membrane is constructed using a salt (NaOH)-induced phase-inversion approach. The as-fabricated filtration membrane provides a hierarchical-structured surface morphology and three-dimensional high density open-rough porous geometry with a special chemical composition including highly accessible hydrophilic -COO agents, which all are of great importance for long-term usage of immiscible/emulsified (light) oil-polluted wastewater separation.

Wool-Like Fibrous Nonwoven Mesh with Ethanol-Triggered Transition between Antiwater and Antioil Superwetting States for Immiscible and Emulsified Light Oil-Water Separation.

Superwetting antiwater and antioil textiles are not only very attractive for efficient and cost-effective oil-water separation but also very challenging to be prepared. A well-designed polystyrene wool-like fibrous mesh was fabricated by a controlled electrospinning setup to provide simple and quick reversible ethanol-triggered switching between antiwater and antioil superwetting states in various media such as air, water, and oil. Additionally, it exhibits a long-term stability against acid, alkaline, and salt at high concentrations.