The efficient separation of surfactant-stabilized oil–water emulsions with a flexible and superhydrophilic graphene–TiO2 composite membrane

• Main Authors: Gao, Peng, Liu, Zhaoyang, Sun, Darren Delai, Ng, Wun Jern
• Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Environmental engineering::Water treatment; DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Nanostructured materials
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/105783; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/20967; http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C4TA02039A
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

It is a worldwide challenge to efficiently separate surfactant-stabilized oil–water emulsions. The existing separation membranes are prone to fouling or are incapable of proper separation. This study is the first to realize the efficient separation of surfactant-stabilized oil–water emulsions via the delicate design and fabrication of a hierarchically nanostructured graphene–TiO2 membrane. During the oil–water separation process, this membrane demonstrates the combined advantages of high oil rejection rate and ultralow membrane fouling because of its interconnected three-dimensional nanoscale network, underwater superoleophobic interface, and self-cleaning function. Furthermore, the mechanical flexibility of this membrane endows it with great potential for wide industrial applications.