Compressible Separator and Catalyst for Simultaneous Separation and Purification of Emulsions and Aqueous Pollutants

Oily wastewater, a global environmental concern, demands efficient oil/water separation and pollutant removal. Our compressible separator and catalyst (CSC) balls, prepared through sponge etching and metal nanoparticle synthesis, exhibited efficient degradation of dyes of varying sizes, spanning a molecular weight range from 139 to 696 g/mol during the oil/water separation. Control over the distance between catalysts was achieved by incorporating Ag–Pt–Pd catalysts into the sponge skeleton and by adjusting the compression rates. The dispersion of the catalysts improved degradation efficiency for larger dyes, while concentrating the catalysts proved to be more effective for the smaller ones. By optimizing the compression rates of CSC balls, we successfully achieved the effective removal of emulsions of different sizes and precise control of flux. Our CSC ball-loaded system offers efficient and versatile solutions for concurrent separation and purification of emulsions and pollutants with potential environmental benefits.