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Inkjet-Printed CNT/PVA Membranes with Stable Cassie Superoleophobicity for High-Efficiency Oil-Water Separation
Mengqi Zhang1, Juan Tang1, Mengya Li1
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Water and Sediment Science, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|July 24, 2025
Summary
Substrate properties significantly impact inkjet-printed oil-repellent membranes. Modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes offer superior performance and easier cleaning for oil-water separation compared to modified polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Surface Chemistry
- Separation Technology
Background:
- High-performance oil-repellent membranes are crucial for effective oil-water separation systems.
- Inkjet printing offers a scalable method for fabricating such membranes.
- The influence of substrate characteristics on inkjet-printed membrane performance is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate inkjet printing for depositing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) substrates.
- To elucidate the role of substrate morphology in CNT deposition and subsequent oil-repellency.
- To evaluate the antifouling performance and cleaning efficiency of modified membranes for oil/water separation.
Main Methods:
- Inkjet printing of CNTs and PVA onto PVDF and PTFE membranes.
- Surface characterization using complementary analyses to understand deposition mechanisms.
- Static contact angle measurements and filtration tests with submicron oil droplets.
- Evaluation of membrane cleaning using deionized water and ultrasonic methods.
Main Results:
- PVDF's smooth surface facilitated uniform CNT deposition, while PTFE's fibrous structure led to discontinuous networks.
- Modified PVDF membranes exhibited superior static oil repellency and maintained stable Cassie states.
- Modified PTFE membranes showed heterogeneous performance, leading to accelerated oil contamination and lower flux recovery.
- Modified PVDF membranes achieved 100% flux recovery after cleaning, demonstrating robust antifouling properties.
Conclusions:
- Substrate characteristics critically influence inkjet-printed membrane performance for oil-water separation.
- Modified PVDF membranes demonstrate superior oil repellency, stability, and cleanability compared to modified PTFE.
- Tailoring interfacial properties through substrate-driven engineering is key for developing advanced antifouling membranes.
