On-Demand Switchable Superamphiphilic Nanofiber Membrane Reinforced by Pet Braided Tube for Efficient Complex Wastewater Purification and Photocatalytic Regeneration

Abstract

Nanofiber membrane is regarded as one of the ideal candidates for complex wastewater purification. However, fragility and membrane fouling and dull wettability limited its widespread application. Herein, a hybrid zeolitic imidazolate framework-8@zinc oxide nanorod decorated poly (vinylidene fluoride) tubular nanofiber membrane on a polyester braided tube reinforcement substrate (ZIF-8@ZnO/PVDF-TNM) was successfully fabricated by ZnO seeds conversion, hydrothermal for ZnO nanowires growth and self-template scarifying method for ZIF-8 deposition. The resultant ZIF-8@ZnO/PVDF-TNM possesses superamphiphilic/under-liquid superamphiphobic and enhanced photocatalytic pollutants removal capacity. In virtue of well-grown ZIF-8@ZnO nanorods, the membrane exhibits a commendable permeation ability (784 and 865 L·m-2·h-1 for water and oil, respectively) under gravity mode, superior oil/water separation efficiency (> 99.9%) for various emulsions. Moreover, it can achieve high-efficient pollutants degradation, self-cleaning and membrane regeneration by solar light irradiation. This study demonstrates a new approach to fabricate the switchable superamphiphilic nanofiber membrane for complex wastewater remediation and membrane regeneration.

Keywords: Nanofiber membrane, Photocatalytic membrane, Wastewater purification, Emulsion separation, Membrane regeneration