A Robust Carbon Nanotube and PVDF-HFP Nanofiber Composite Superwettability Membrane for High-Efficiency Emulsion Separation

Oil or chemical purification is significant not only for industrial safety production but also because it conforms to the principle of sustainable development. In this paper, based on the synergistic concept of superwettability and nanopores sieve effect, a superoleophilic and under-oil superhydrophobic carbon nanotube/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) nanofiber composite membrane is prepared via electrospinning, pressure-driven filtration, and chemical vapor modification. The as-prepared membrane with durable mechanical and chemical stabilities achieves separation efficiency higher than 99.9% and high flux up to 632.5 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ for different water-in-oil emulsions. This membrane is highly promising for the petroleum and chemical industries for both product quality improvement and green recycling manufacturing processes.