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Robust Superamphiphilic Membrane with a Closed‐Loop Life Cycle
Author(s) -
Ye Chongnan,
Voet Vincent S. D.,
Folkersma Rudy,
Loos Katja
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.202008460
Subject(s) - membrane , robustness (evolution) , materials science , epoxy , reuse , environmental remediation , chemical engineering , process engineering , waste management , composite material , engineering , chemistry , contamination , ecology , biochemistry , biology , gene
Oil‐spill remediation is an international environmental challenge, and superamphiphilic membranes, as a promising solution, have recently drawn lots of attention. However, the robustness of the conventional membrane design is less satisfying under severe conditions during practical applications. Additionally, it is unavoidable for the membranes to face a series of foulants in their practical working environment, for example, algae and sand. These foulants will block the membrane, which leads to a new economic and environmental problem in terms of waste management at the end of their life. To address the aforementioned challenges, a new generation of superamphiphilic vitrimer epoxy resin membranes (SAVER) to separate oil and water efficiently is reported. Similar to classical epoxy resins, SAVER shows strong mechanical robustness and sustains exposure to aqua regia and sodium hydroxide solutions. Furthermore, the blocked membrane can be easily recovered when contaminated with mixed foulants by using dynamic transesterification reactions in the polymer network. The ease with which biobased SAVER can be manufactured, used, recycled, and re‐used without losing value points to new directions in designing a closed‐loop superamphiphilic membrane life cycle.