Biomimetic nanoparticle-engineered superwettable membranes for efficient oil/water separation

Biomimetic modified membranes for oil/water separations have attracted extensive attention in recent years. However, complex processing, low efficiency and severe oil fouling have always been the main obstacles to its application. To explore facile and green modification methods are urgently desired. Herein, we create a facile, high separation efficiency, energy conservation, eco-friendly, and anti-crude oil fouling superwettability membrane for oil/water separation. Hierarchical nanoparticles structures are developed on the surface of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) microfiltration (MF) membranes by co-depositing proanthocyanidins (PC) and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The construction of hierarchical nanoparticles on the membrane surface bestows superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic functionality and excellent oil/water separation properties for addressing various oils. The oil rejections of the modified membrane are all above 99.5%, and it has superior crude oil fouling-tolerant performance with good pH, chemical and mechanical stability and salt resistance. This modification strategy can be applied to clean the oil-contaminated cotton cloth and non-woven fabrics. Thus, the applications of the proposed modified strategy include but not limited to oily wastewater treatment and self-cleaning clothing production. [Display omitted] •Biomimetic nanoparticle-engineered membranes was designed for oil/water separation.•Proanthocyanidins (PC) and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) were co-deposited.•The novel membrane possessed superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity.•The membrane had superior crude oil fouling-tolerant and self-cleaning ability.