Antioil-Fouling Superoleophobic-Superhydrophilic Nanofibrous Membranes for Separation of Immiscible Oil-Water Mixtures and Emulsions

Superoleophobic-superhydrophilic surfaces have been used for applications in the fabrication of antioil-fouling smart textiles and for immiscible oil-water mixtures and emulsions separation. Typically, these surfaces are constructed by depositing coatings with selective superwetting properties on porous structures. The facile electrospun technique involves the deposition of polymer solutions or melts through an electric field, resulting in nanometer-sized fibers that form nanofibrous membranes with hierarchical structures and a large specific surface area. In this study, superoleophobic-superhydrophilic nanofibrous membranes were prepared by blending perfluorooctanoic acid and polyacrylonitrile polymers and fluorinated TiO₂ nanoparticles and electrospinning them. The prepared nanofibrous membranes exhibit superoleophobic and superhydrophilic properties, along with antioil-fouling characteristics. These membranes can separate immiscible oil-water mixtures and oil-in-water emulsions. This superoleophobic-superhydrophilic nanofibrous membranes have broad applications in industry and for environmental protection.