PVDF/HMO ultrafiltration membrane for efficient oil/water separation

In this research, hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) nanoparticles was adopted in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to improve the ability of the mixed matrix membrane (MMM) to separate oil/water emulsions. The MMMs ? which were added with various amounts of HMO loading (3, 5, 7 and 10?wt%) ? were characterized for its physicochemical properties, morphological structure, and nanoparticles dispersion of the PVDF/HMO membrane. Evidently, the presence of these nanoparticles increased the hydrophilicity and oleophobicity of the PVDF/HMO membrane as compared to those of the pristine PVDF. Concurrently, the water contact angle was reduced from 99? to 58? while oil contact angle increased from 0? to 35?. The presence of -OH groups and Mn element channeling the PVDF/HMO membrane wetting properties, which in turn improved the membrane?s affinity towards water molecules and aversion to oil droplets. The PVDF/HMO membrane that contained 10?wt% of HMO loading exhibited a water flux (402?L/m(2)?h) ? 10 times greater than the pristine PVDF membrane with 93% oil rejection rate.