Multifunctional electrospun membranes incorporated with metal oxide nanoparticles, cellulose acetate, and polyvinylpyrrolidone for wastewater treatment: Oil/water separation, dye adsorption, and dye degradation

Multifunctional membranes have gained considerable attention as useful materials for the treatment of complex wastewater that contains dye and oil substances. Electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENM) have substantial advantages and potential for complex wastewater remediation, owing to their unique properties. In this study, an environmentally compatible ENM is fabricated by incorporating photocatalytic metal oxide nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO) or silver-zinc Oxide (Ag-ZnO) into cellulose acetate (CA)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers using electrospinning. Composite membranes ZnO/CA/PVP, Ag-ZnO/CA/PVP, ZnO/DCA/PVP (DCA: deacetylated cellulose acetate), and Ag-ZnO/DCA/PVP (deacetylated) were employed for oil-water emulsion separation, owing to their superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic nature, photocatalytic dye degradation due to the presence of ZnO or Ag-ZnO, and dye adsorption resulting from their high surface area. The composite membranes showed more than 95% efficiency for oil/water separation, malachite green adsorption, and photocatalytic methylene blue degradation. These membranes displayed simultaneous oil-water and dye separation efficiency, as well as antibacterial properties. The membrane we present here provides a simple and effective platform for wastewater remediation with a low energy consumption.