<p>Oil spills and industrial oily wastewater pollution are two global environmental problems that necessitate the separation of oil and water. In this work, we present a novel continuous separation system based on two membranes with inverse wettability, both derived from a single adsorbent layered double hydroxide (LDH) through minimal surface modification. Drawing inspiration from biological surfaces, a superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic membrane was prepared by coating micro/nanostructured stainless-steel mesh with LDH, mimicking the wetting behavior of fish scales. A simple post-modification with stearic acid transformed the same LDH coating into a superhydrophobic/superoleophilic membrane, inspired by lotus leaf surfaces. These two complementary membranes were integrated into a bidirectional system capable of continuous and efficient separation of both light and heavy oil/water mixtures. The system achieved separation efficiencies over 98% and an ultrahigh flux of 105,000 Lm<sup>−2</sup>h<sup>−1</sup>. This study demonstrates a cost-effective, scalable approach to continuous oil/water separation using a single functional material, significantly advancing membrane design for environmental remediation.</p>

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Continuous oil/water separation using LDH-based membranes with inverse wettability

  • Maryam Davardoostmanesh,
  • Negin Gorgani,
  • Hossein Ahmadzadeh

摘要

Oil spills and industrial oily wastewater pollution are two global environmental problems that necessitate the separation of oil and water. In this work, we present a novel continuous separation system based on two membranes with inverse wettability, both derived from a single adsorbent layered double hydroxide (LDH) through minimal surface modification. Drawing inspiration from biological surfaces, a superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic membrane was prepared by coating micro/nanostructured stainless-steel mesh with LDH, mimicking the wetting behavior of fish scales. A simple post-modification with stearic acid transformed the same LDH coating into a superhydrophobic/superoleophilic membrane, inspired by lotus leaf surfaces. These two complementary membranes were integrated into a bidirectional system capable of continuous and efficient separation of both light and heavy oil/water mixtures. The system achieved separation efficiencies over 98% and an ultrahigh flux of 105,000 Lm−2h−1. This study demonstrates a cost-effective, scalable approach to continuous oil/water separation using a single functional material, significantly advancing membrane design for environmental remediation.