pH-Responsive Nanofibrous Membrane with Switchable Wettability for Controllable Oil/Water Separation

The development of stimuli-responsive materials with the ability of controllable oil/water separation is crucial for practical applications. Here, a novel pH responsive copolymer nanofibrous membrane was designed. The as-spun membrane exhibit switchable superhydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity and can be applied in continuous separation of oil/water mixtures, different surfactant stabilized emulsion as well as oil uptake and release via in situ and ex situ pH change. We expect that the membrane highlight the practical applications because of the cost-effective preparation process and fluorine-free strategy.

Keywords:

oil/water separation , pH responsiveness , copolymer , in situ , ex situ