Binary nanofibrous membranes with independent oil/water transport channels for durable emulsion separation

Oil fouling threatens the stability of water permeability for oil-water separation membrane. Homogeneous hy-drophilic surface modification provided an opportunity to prevent oil pollution, but failed to maintain stable water traverse due to oil accumulation. Here we report a binary nanofibrous membrane (BNM) through co-electrospinning technique and Michael addition reaction, where hydrophilic polyacrylonitile (mPAN) and hy-drophobic poly (vinylidene fluoride) (mPVDF) nanofibers with certain ratio constructed independent water/oil transport channels respectively. The fabricated binary nanofibrous membrane provides stable permeance and high separation efficiency (>99.5%) for viscous oily emulsions in continuous cross-flow filtration. The oil droplets transport experienced deposition, migration, coalescence and removal to significantly alleviate fouling. The binary nanofibrous membrane with heterogenous wetting property provides durable permeation and sep-aration efficiency for durable emulsion separation, which sheds light on a new approach for the development of ideal oil/water separation membranes.