{"title":"Photothermal-assisted cleaning and reusability of MXene-MWCNT membranes for efficient oil–water separation","authors":"Siyoung Byun, Dongjin Sim, Alicia Kyoungjin An, Eui-jong Lee, Jae-Wuk Koo, Tae-Mun Hwang, Sanghyun Jeong","doi":"10.1038/s41545-025-00485-z","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Membrane-based separation can efficiently treat oily wastewater; however, the trade-off between flux and oil rejection, as well as susceptibility to oil fouling, particularly when dealing with highly viscous oils, often limits its applicability. To address these limitations, MXene-multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite membranes were fabricated, exhibiting improved permeate flux and anti-fouling performance. The fabricated MXene-MWCNT membrane showed an oil emulsion permeate flux exceeding 19 L/m²∙h (LMH), along with a high oil rejection efficiency (~95%), effectively mitigating the conventional trade-offs associated with membrane-based separations. However, the membrane was susceptible to irreversible oil fouling when exposed to highly viscous oils, thus challenging sustainable operation. To overcome this issue, a photothermal-assisted cleaning strategy was employed. This approach enhances localized photothermal heating to reduce fouling and enhance membrane reusability. The MXene-MWCNT membrane maintained an adequate flux recovery rate (>60%) and a stable oil rejection efficiency (~99%) over four operational cycles. In comparison, membranes without photothermal cleaning achieved a flux recovery of only ~7% under similar conditions. Given its high permeate flux, excellent oil rejection performance, and enhanced anti-fouling properties achieved <i>via</i> photothermal-assisted cleaning, the MXene-MWCNT membrane offers a sustainable and effective solution for practical oil–water separation applications, particularly when treating wastewater containing highly viscous oils.</p>","PeriodicalId":19375,"journal":{"name":"npj Clean Water","volume":"593 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"npj Clean Water","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00485-z","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Membrane-based separation can efficiently treat oily wastewater; however, the trade-off between flux and oil rejection, as well as susceptibility to oil fouling, particularly when dealing with highly viscous oils, often limits its applicability. To address these limitations, MXene-multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite membranes were fabricated, exhibiting improved permeate flux and anti-fouling performance. The fabricated MXene-MWCNT membrane showed an oil emulsion permeate flux exceeding 19 L/m²∙h (LMH), along with a high oil rejection efficiency (~95%), effectively mitigating the conventional trade-offs associated with membrane-based separations. However, the membrane was susceptible to irreversible oil fouling when exposed to highly viscous oils, thus challenging sustainable operation. To overcome this issue, a photothermal-assisted cleaning strategy was employed. This approach enhances localized photothermal heating to reduce fouling and enhance membrane reusability. The MXene-MWCNT membrane maintained an adequate flux recovery rate (>60%) and a stable oil rejection efficiency (~99%) over four operational cycles. In comparison, membranes without photothermal cleaning achieved a flux recovery of only ~7% under similar conditions. Given its high permeate flux, excellent oil rejection performance, and enhanced anti-fouling properties achieved via photothermal-assisted cleaning, the MXene-MWCNT membrane offers a sustainable and effective solution for practical oil–water separation applications, particularly when treating wastewater containing highly viscous oils.
npj Clean WaterEnvironmental Science-Water Science and Technology
CiteScore
15.30
自引率
2.60%
发文量
61
审稿时长
5 weeks
期刊介绍:
npj Clean Water publishes high-quality papers that report cutting-edge science, technology, applications, policies, and societal issues contributing to a more sustainable supply of clean water. The journal's publications may also support and accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.