Fabrication of harsh environment‐tolerant and robust reinforced poly (tetrafluoroethylene) hollow fiber membranes with optimal heat setting technology

Abstract The high‐temperature industrial waste oil treatment has put forward new requirements for membrane materials. Poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) is regarded as the excellent membrane material for membrane process, due to its excellent properties. Herein, the reinforced PTFE hollow fiber membrane (PTFE‐HFM) was prepared by the combination of wrapping and heat setting technology. The objection of this study was focusing on the outstanding chemical and thermal resistance of PTEF‐HFM for overcoming harsh waste oil treatment. PTFE‐HFM exhibited better chemical resistance in the experiment of acid and alkali compared to PVDF‐HFM, which the surface of PVDF‐HFM corroded obviously and none of PTFE‐HFM. The pore size and porosity were precisely adjusted by heat setting technology. Firstly, the morphologies of PTFE‐HFM was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, which exhibited favorable interfacial bonding state between PTFE separation layer and supporting layer. Subsequently, the prepared membranes exhibited high‐temperature waste oil permeability of 195 L m −2 h −1 bar −1 with only 3% attenuation in long‐term operation. Besides, the rejection of lubricants contained activated carbon also reached to 99%. Overall, the facile preparation and excellent performance of robust reinforced PTFE‐HFM highlights its great potential in treating high‐temperature waste oil.