Electrospun Polystyrene Nanofiber Membrane with Superhydrophobicity and Superoleophilicity for Selective Separation of Water and Low Viscous Oil

TLDR

Superhydrophobic, superoleophilic surfaces are crucial for efficient water–oil separation. The study develops PS nanofiber membranes for selective separation of low surface‑tension liquids from water. PS nanofiber membranes were fabricated by electrospinning onto stainless steel mesh and tested with gasoline, diesel, and mineral oil. The membranes exhibited a 155° water contact angle and 0° diesel contact angle, efficiently separating several liters of oil from water within minutes, demonstrating high selectivity and potential for oil spill remediation.

Abstract

The ability to prepare solid surfaces with well-controlled superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties is of paramount importance to water–oil separation technology. Herein, we successfully prepared superhydrophobic-superoleophilic membranes by single-step deposition of polystyrene (PS) nanofibers onto a stainless steel mesh via electrospinning. The contact angles of diesel and water on the prepared PS nanofiber membrane were 0° and 155° ± 3°, respectively. Applications of the PS nanofiber membrane toward separating liquids with low surface tension, such as oil, from water were investigated in detail. Gasoline, diesel, and mineral oil were tested as representative low-viscosity oils. The PS nanofiber membranes efficiently separated several liters of oil from water in a single step, of only a few minutes' duration. The superhydrophobic PS nanofiber membrane selectively absorbs oil, and is highly efficient at oil–water separation, making it a very promising material for oil spill remediation.