Simple fabrication of a multifunctional inorganic paper with high efficiency separations for both liquids and particles

Abstract

Nowadays, serve threats to both the environment and human health are caused by toxic spills, ever-increasing dye-containing industrial wastewater and fine particulate matters (PMs). It is essential to remove contaminants before releasing them into the environment. Simultaneously, many materials that have been studied contaminant removal, such as membranes and fibres, have poor tolerance to a broad working temperature range, and their robustness are needs to be improved. In this study, the multifunctional inorganic paper containing hydroxyapatite (HAP), carboxymethyl inorganic paper (CMC) and NH₂-UiO-66 was prepared by a facile and environment-friendly process for both air and liquid contaminant filtration. In addition, the inorganic paper exhibited underwater superoleophobicity that can be used for the efficient separation of surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions.