Fabrication of highly porous and hydrophobic PVDF/silica aerogel nanofiber membranes via phase separation for enhanced oil/organic solvent absorption

We fabricate highly porous and hydrophobic PVDF/silica aerogel nanofibers and evaluate their potential for advanced oil absorption applications. Using a phase separation method, we produce these nanofibers and comprehensively characterize their morphology and pore size distribution. Our research emphasizes the effects of PEO molecular weight and silica aerogel content on the nanofiber structures. Our findings indicate that incorporating higher molecular weight PEO and optimal concentrations of silica aerogel significantly enhances both micropore and macropore structures within the nanofibers. The PVDF/silica aerogel nanofiber, which includes silica aerogel of 3 wt% and PEO of 2,000,000 g/mol, reveals a more than three times specific surface area from 5.7059 m2/g to 17.057 m2/g and has approximately 11% enhanced contact angle compared to PVDF nanofibers. The improved contact area and hydrophobic properties of PVDF/silica aerogel nanofiber enable a significant increase in oil/organic solvent absorption. Such strategic inclusion not only increases the nanofibers’ hydrophobicity and specific surface area but also underscores their potential in oil absorption applications.