fabrication of cross-linked nanofibrous poly(vinyl alcohol) composite membrane for separation of oil in water emulsions

The main objective of this study is to fabricate nanofibrous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite membranes for use in separation of oil in water emulsions. For this purpose, a thin layer of PVA nanofibers was coated on the surface of a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane as support layer by electrospinning technique. The PES ultrafiltration membrane was prepared by nonsolvent-induced phase inversion method and the PVA layer of composite membranes was cross-linked using citric acid as cross-linking agent. The experimental results indicated that the electrospinning of PVA on the PES ultrafiltration membranes improved the hydrophilicity of the membrane and the electrospun nanofibrous composite membranes had higher permeation oil/water flux and lower fouling tendency.

Keywords:

Nanofibrous membrane , Electrospinning , Oil/water separation , Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) , Ultrafiltration