Superhydrophobicity PPS@MGFC composite membrane with nanofiber-like structure formed via TIPS and its oil-water separation performance

Abstract

Oil/ water separation in extreme environments remains a challenging issue, with high requirements for material performance. Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) has broad application prospects in extreme environments due to its unique performance. In this study, glass fiber cloth (GFC) modified with polydopamine/ phenyltriethoxysilane (PDA/PTES) (hereinafter referred to as MGFC) was used as the support, a superhydrophobic/ superlipophilic PPS nanofiber-like functional layer with low surface energy was prepared via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method, (hereinafter referred to as PPS@MGFC composite membrane). Relying on π-π conjugation between PTES and PPS, the composite interface was firmly bonded, effectively enhancing its structural stability. Meanwhile, when the PPS content was 4.2 wt%, the pure-water contact angle reached 156.8°, the oil contact angle reached 0 °. The prepared PPS@MGFC composite membrane showed strong oil-water separation performance in oil-water separation experiments. It could be used to separate various immiscible oil-water mixtures, the water content was less than 150 ppm and flux was higher than 6429 L·m−2·h−1 (gravity drive). For oil-in-water emulsions, the water content was less than 250 ppm, the flux was higher than 2500 L·m−2·h−1 (0.1 bar), and the separation efficiency was higher than 99.9%. In addition, the separation efficiency and flux remained stable in extreme environments and after recycling use. These results indicated that PPS@MGFC composite membrane created in this study has a significant deal of promise for use in the field of oil/water separation.