Ultrafast and On-Demand Oil/Water Separation Membrane System Based on Conducting Polymer Nanotip Arrays

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c00911
• Publication Date: 2020-06-22T14:15:00Z
• Authors: Zhengao Wang; Peng Yu; Jiajia Zhou; Jingwen Liao; Lei Zhou; Heying Ran; Jingxia Zhai; Jun Xing; Guoxin Tan; Zhengnan Zhou; Yangfan Li; Chengyun Ning; Yahong Zhou
• Keywords: Ultrafiltration (renal); Nanoreactor; Filtration (mathematics); Water Transport

Ultrafast oil/water separation based on tunable superwettability switch remains a big challenge. Here, inspired by the ultrafast water transport mechanism in sarracenia, we develop micro/nanostructured porous membrane with conducting polymer nanotip arrays through surface-initiated polymerizations. By modulating height (ranging from 49–529 nm) and redox states of nanotips, smart reversible is facile to obtain contact angles water/oil arranging 161° about 0°. Besides, liquid speed was accelerated more than 1.5 times increasing length. The flux could reach up 50326 L m–2 h–1 (1000 that typical industrial ultrafiltration membrane). This attributed stable continuous film along which provide lubrication layer, leading an increase permeability. work provides significant insights into macro/nanostructured design for separation, blood lipid filtration, nanoreactors high