Title : Comprehensive Electrokinetic-Assisted Separation of Oil Emulsion with Ultrahigh Flux

Journal : ACS NANO

Authors : Hyukjin J. Kwon, Minsoo Lee, Seong Kyung Hong, Chan Park, Seong J. Cho*, and Geunbae Lim* (* Corresponding Author)

First published : 21 September 2021

Abstract :

Many industries have a significant but largely unmet need for efficient and high-flux emulsion separation, particularly for nanoemulsions. Conventional separation membranes rely on size-based separation mainly utilizing a sieving mechanism plus a wetting phenomenon, resulting in a dramatic trade-off between separation efficiency and separation flux. Herein we address this challenge by adapting electrokinetics to membrane-based separation, using a charge-based mechanism capable of separating even nanoemulsions with a demonstrated separation efficiency of >99% and ultrahigh flux up to 40 000 L/H·m2. Our device arrests nano-oil droplets, allowing them to coalesce into larger droplets which are then able to be filtered by coarser membranes. This hybrid technology makes electrokinetic-assisted filtration scalable and commercially viable and allows for a better understanding of the multiphysics underlying dynamic separation.

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