Fabrication of polysulfone membranes by blending with polyaniline and cellulose nanocrystals: towards the effective separation of oil-in-water emulsions

Abstract In the present work, we developed a hybrid membrane via phase inversion process composed from polysulfone (PSF), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), and polyaniline (PANI) polymers for oil/water separation. Multiple techniques were used to characterize membranes. Results demonstrated that under gravity-driven process, blended PSF with CNC PANI had greatly higher water flux of 31.10, 29.01 29.95 L m −2 h −1 pure water, soybean mixture, diesel mixture respectively as compared PSF/CNC Meanwhile, values constant pressure-driven high PSF/CNC/PANI could reach 800 KPa various types oils. The results showed ultrafiltration (UF) good micro-porosity, acceptable hydrophilicity, mechanical properties. Moreover, possessed permeability properties at processes oil separation rejection efficiency (~ 88.2%).