PP/TiO<sub>2</sub> Melt-Blown Membranes for Oil/Water Separation and Photocatalysis: Manufacturing Techniques and Property Evaluations

This study aims to produce polypropylene (PP)/titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) melt-blown membranes for oil/water separation and photocatalysis. PP and different contents of TiO<sub>2</sub> are melt-blended to prepare master batches using a single screw extruder. The master...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fei Sun, Ting-Ting Li, Haitao Ren, Qian Jiang, Hao-Kai Peng, Qi Lin, Ching-Wen Lou, Jia-Horng Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
Series:Polymers
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/11/5/775
Description
Summary:This study aims to produce polypropylene (PP)/titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) melt-blown membranes for oil/water separation and photocatalysis. PP and different contents of TiO<sub>2</sub> are melt-blended to prepare master batches using a single screw extruder. The master batches are then fabricated into PP/TiO<sub>2</sub> melt-blown membranes. The thermal properties of the master batches are analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, and their particle dispersion and melt-blown membrane morphology are evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. TiO<sub>2</sub> loaded on melt-blown membranes is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The oil/water separation ability of the melt-blown membranes is evaluated to examine the influence of TiO<sub>2</sub> content. Results show that the thermal stability and photocatalytic effect of the membranes increase with TiO<sub>2</sub> content. TiO<sub>2</sub> shows a good dispersion in the PP membranes. After 3 wt.% TiO<sub>2</sub> addition, crystallinity increases by 6.4%, thermal decomposition temperature increases by 25 &#176;C compared with pure PP membranes. The resultant PP/TiO<sub>2</sub> melt-blown membrane has a good morphology, and better hydrophobicity even in acetone solution or 6 h ultraviolet irradiation, and a high oil flux of about 15,000 L&#183;m<sup>&#8722;2</sup>&#183;h<sup>&#8722;1</sup>. Moreover, the membranes have stabilized oil/water separation efficiency after being repeatedly used. The proposed melt-blown membranes are suitable for mass production for separating oil from water in massively industrial dyeing wastewater.
ISSN:2073-4360