Hydrophobic/oleophilic polylactic acid electrospun fibrous membranes with the silicone semi-interpenetrated networks for oil–water separation

Because of the booming industry, the leaked oily wastewater has seriously threatened human health and the ecological environment. To address this issue, we herein report a composite membrane for oil–water separation. Firstly, a silicone semi-interpenetrated network (IPN) was synthesized by the in situ polymerization of aminopropyl trimethoxysilane and vinyl trimethoxysilane in a polylactic acid (PLA) solution. Then, the PLA@silicone semi-IPN fibrous membranes were obtained via electrospinning the synthesized solution. The silicone semi-IPN offers adjustable inner morphologies and a good porous structure for fibrous membranes. Specifically, the PLA@silicone semi-IPN fibrous membrane shows an outstanding oil-absorbing value of 83.9 g/g and a good lipophilic/hydrophobic performance with a contact angle of 158.7°. More importantly, the obtained fibrous membrane owned a good oil–water selectivity. The oil droplets could be spread and absorbed by the fibrous membrane in water within 2.2 s. Such efficient separation for oil and water mixtures will make the PLA@silicone semi-IPN fibrous membrane a good candidate for oil-polluted water treatments.