PVDF/PLA electrospun fiber membrane impregnated with metal nanoparticles for emulsion separation, surface antimicrobial, and antifouling activities

Although many superwetting materials have been designed for the treatment of oil-containing wastewater, separation strategies for oil-in-water systems containing bacteria have rarely been reported. Herein, poly(vinylidene difluoride)- and poly(lactic acid)-blended fibrous membranes loaded with silver and copper oxide nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a two-step method of electrostatic spinning and liquid-phase synthesis. The product membrane showed excellent super-oleophilic properties in air and hydrophobicity under oil. It could separate water-in-oil emulsion systems containing surfactants with an efficiency above 90%. More importantly, the nanoparticle-loaded fibers were characterized by material degradability and slowly released ions. The fibers exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against both gram-positive and -negative bacteria. This work provides a feasible strategy for water-in-oil emulsion separation and bacterial treatment of wastewater.