Preparation and oil–water separation evaluations of polypropylene/low‐melt‐point polyester composites reinforced by thermal bonding and one‐step solution immersion

Nonwoven fabrics have been fabricated for oil–water separation, but simplifying the manufacturing processes is still a challenge. In this work, a facile and easily scaled up approach based on thermal bonding and one‐step solution immersion has been successfully developed to prepare nonwoven fabrics with high separation efficiency and flux of oil. Here, polypropylene (PP) and low‐melt‐point polyester (LPET) fibers with a unique sheath–core structure are employed to form PP/LPET nonwoven fabrics. Thermal bonding by hot press and hydrophobic treatment with 1 H ,1 H ,2 H ,2 H ‐perfluorodecyl‐1‐thiol (PFDT) are used to manufacture oil–water separation nonwoven fabrics. Effects of the ratio of LPET fibers and the concentration of PFDT are discussed in terms of mechanical properties, morphology, surface chemical composition, water contact angle and performance of oil–water separation and flux of the nonwoven fabrics. The results show that the strength of the nonwoven fabrics gradually increases with increasing ratio of LPET fibers. After immersion in PFDT, the nonwoven fabrics show high hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 143°. They can be used to separate oil–water mixtures. The separation efficiency is 97–99% and the oil flux is 62 364.92 L m −2 h −1 . This study provides a new prospect for simple introduction of a hydrophobic agent on a nonwoven fabric to achieve various functional oil–water separation materials. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry