Formation of Microporous Poly Acrylonitrile-Co-Methyl Acrylate Membrane via Thermally Induced Phase Separation for Immiscible Oil/Water Separation

An interconnected sponge structure and porous surface poly (acrylonitrile-co-methyl acrylate) (P(AN-MA)) microfiltration membranes (MF) were fabricated via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) by using caprolactam (CPL), and acetamide (AC) as the mixed diluent. When the ternary system was composed of 15 wt.% P(AN-MA), 90 wt.% CPL, and 10 wt.% AC and formed in a 25 degrees C air bath, the membrane exhibited the highest water flux of 8107 L/m2<middle dot>h. The P(AN-MA) membrane contained hydrophobic groups (-COOCH3) and hydrophilic groups (-CN), leading it to exhibit oleophobic properties underwater and hydrophobic properties in oil. The membrane demonstrates efficient separation of immiscible oil/water mixtures. The pure water flux of the petroleum ether/water mixture measured 870 L/m2<middle dot>h, and the pure oil flux of the petroleum tetrachloride/water mixture measured 1230 L/m2<middle dot>h under the influence of gravity. Additionally, the recovery efficiency of diluents through recrystallization was 85.3%, significantly reducing potential pollution and production costs.