Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Electrospun PVDF/PAN Nanofibrous Membranes for Oily Wastewater Separation

Ahmed H. Oleiwi, College of Engineering, Wasit University, 52001, Wasit, Iraq AND College of Materials Engineering, University of Technology-Iraq, Alsinaa Street 52, 10066 Baghdad, IraqFollow
Akram R. Jabur, College of Materials Engineering, University of Technology-Iraq, Alsinaa Street 52, 10066 Baghdad, IraqFollow
Qusay F. Alsalhy, Membrane Technology Research Unit, College of Chemical Engineering, University of Technology-Iraq, Alsinaa Street 52, 10066 Baghdad, IraqFollow
Doinita Roxana Cioroiu Tirpan, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Ovidius University of Constanta, 124 Mamaia Street, 900527, Constanta, RomaniaFollow
Claudia Ana Maria Patrichi, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1–6 Gheorghe Polizu, 011061, Bucharest, RomaniaFollow

Keywords

Electrospinning, Electrospun nanofibers, Oil/water separation, Wastewater treatment, Antifouling performance, Separation efficiency

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Electrospun nanofibrous membranes are a promising technique for wastewater treatment owing to their high porosity and surface properties. This manuscript presents a systematically designed investigation on the preparation and optimization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) blended nanofibrous membranes for oil/water separation. Nanofibrous membranes were synthesized by electrospinning with PAN weight percentages of 0 wt%, 10 wt%, 25 wt%, and 50 wt%. The impact of PAN weight percentages on the morphology and separation performance of the membranes was investigated. The membranes were analyzed harnessing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. The results indicated that with an increase in PAN weight percentages, the diameter of the fibers decreased from 394 nm to 261 nm. Simultaneously, the pore sizes increased from 132 nm to 220 nm. Moreover, the contact angle was found to decrease from 150° to 130° with an increase in PAN weight percentages. FTIR and EDS confirmed the presence of PAN in the PVDF matrix. The performance evaluation of the membrane using crude oil- and kerosene-contaminated water revealed that the performance of the membrane was significantly affected by the ratio of PAN. Out of all the formulations, it was observed that the membrane containing 50 wt% PAN had the maximum flux, minimum fouling potential, maximum COD removal, and maximum separation efficiency, which were around 59% for crude oil and 85% for kerosene.

Recommended Citation

Oleiwi, Ahmed H.; Jabur, Akram R.; Alsalhy, Qusay F.; Tirpan, Doinita Roxana Cioroiu; and Patrichi, Claudia Ana Maria (2026) "Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Electrospun PVDF/PAN Nanofibrous Membranes for Oily Wastewater Separation," Engineering and Technology Journal: Vol. 44: Iss. 12, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30684/2412-0758.2408

DOI

10.30684/2412-0758.2408

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