PP/TiO(2) Melt-Blown Membranes for Oil/Water Separation and Photocatalysis: Manufacturing Techniques and Property Evaluations

This study aims to produce polypropylene (PP)/titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) melt-blown membranes for oil/water separation and photocatalysis. PP and different contents of TiO(2) are melt-blended to prepare master batches using a single screw extruder. The master batches are then fabricated into PP/TiO(2) 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(2) 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(2) content. Results show that the thermal stability and photocatalytic effect of the membranes increase with TiO(2) content. TiO(2) shows a good dispersion in the PP membranes. After 3 wt.% TiO(2) addition, crystallinity increases by 6.4%, thermal decomposition temperature increases by 25 °C compared with pure PP membranes. The resultant PP/TiO(2) 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·m(−2)·h(−1). 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.