Journal of water process engineering最新文献

{"title":"Conductive CuO-CNT/PES membranes for electrochemical membrane filtration and advanced wastewater treatment","authors":"Paulomi Bose,&nbsp;Smruti Ranjan Dash,&nbsp;Jeonghwan Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107441","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107441","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The prevalence of recalcitrant contaminants in wastewater, including organic dyes and pharmaceuticals poses serious threat to the environment owing to its complex structures and low degradability. Herein, we developed a covalently bonded CuO-CNT/polyethersulfone (PES) membrane by decorating CuO nanoparticles directly on CNT strands, followed by layer-by-layer depositions using a spray dispenser for advancing water treatment and fouling mitigation. Membrane performances were systematically evaluated using model organic compounds: the anionic Congo Red (CR), the cationic Methylene Blue (MB), and neutral antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole (SMX). At optimum external voltage (2.0 V), the organic removal efficiency was increased by 3, 4 and 5 times for CR, MB and SMX, respectively, compared to them observed without electric field. The corresponding flux recovery was improved by 59 %, 21 % and 14 % for CR, MB and SMX, respectively, exhibiting superior antifouling abilities. The performances of CuO-CNT/PES membrane under the electric field were attributed to the synergistic effects of electrostatic repulsion and indirect oxidation facilitated by hydroxyl radicals (^●OH) produced. The presence of OH radicals and short-lived Cu⁺ generated by redox conversion of Cu⁺² into Cu⁺ electrochemically was validated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, the CuO-CNT/PES membranes demonstrated exceptional stability with high conductivity under both cathodic and anodic potentials. The degradation of organic dye can be explained by first-order reaction rate with a K₀ value of 0.0175 s⁻¹ as rate constant. Furthermore, the synthesized membrane can separate binary mixtures selectively, highlighting the potential for applying it with real wastewater treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107441"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From waste to resource: Production and characterization of eggshell adsorbent for glyphosate removal by adsorption","authors":"Mirian Cristina Enderle ,&nbsp;Patricia Grzybowski ,&nbsp;Magda Alana Pompelli Manica ,&nbsp;Gabriel Tochetto ,&nbsp;Gean Delise Leal Pasquali ,&nbsp;Leandro Bassani ,&nbsp;Aniela Pinto Kempka ,&nbsp;Adriana Dervanoski ,&nbsp;Cleuzir da Luz","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107464","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107464","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study developed and characterized an adsorbent from egg processing waste from the agro-industry and applied it to remove glyphosate in aqueous solutions. Using a factorial design, optimal synthesis conditions were determined, with the waste being calcined at 883 °C for 43 min. The mesoporous adsorbent exhibited a surface area of 0.001 m² g⁻¹, a pore volume of 0.002 cm³ g⁻¹, and an average pore diameter of 40 Å. Chemical characterization revealed a high calcium oxide content, while hydroxyl, amine, alcohol, and phenol functional groups were found on the surface. Equilibrium was achieved after 240 min, with the pseudo-second-order model best describing the experimental data. The isotherm models that fit the experimental data were the Sips model at 25–45 ± 2 °C. The highest adsorption capacity observed was 25.69 mg g⁻¹ (45 °C). Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was endothermic, spontaneous, and favorable for glyphosate. The adsorption mechanism occurred through ligand exchange and electromagnetic interaction, where the <img>OH anions of the adsorbent interacted with the phosphonate group in glyphosate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107464"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of seasonal climate variability on constructed wetland treatment efficiency","authors":"Charlotte Dykes,&nbsp;Jonathan Pearson,&nbsp;Gary Bending,&nbsp;Soroush Abolfathi","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107350","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107350","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Free-water surface constructed wetlands (CWs) are sustainable, low emission, nature-based solutions for water and wastewater treatment. However, the discharge of nutrient-rich effluents from CWs treating wastewater can adversely impact freshwater ecosystems and exacerbate eutrophication. Despite their ecological benefits, limited research exists on the treatment efficiency and pollutant dynamics of CWs under varying seasonal and environmental pressures. This study investigates the treatment efficiency of an integrated CW (ICW) serving as a nature-based solution for treating partially treated wastewater before release into the environment. Located in Ingoldisthorpe, Norfolk, near the East coast of the UK, the ICW receives 1014 ± 538 m³/day of effluent from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The system comprises four interconnected vegetated ponds (i.e. Cell) with a mean effective volume of 2697 m³, operating at an average depth of 0.19 m. Seasonal variations in vegetation density and coverage range from sparse in winter and spring to dense in summer and autumn. Bi-monthly field investigations were conducted over one year (August 2022–June 2023) to examine the impacts of inter-seasonal climate variability on the ICW's treatment performance. Removal rates of solute and solid pollutants, including nitrate (NH₃⁻), nitrate‑nitrogen (NH₃⁻N), ammonium (NH₄⁺), total nitrogen (TN) orthophosphate (PO₄³⁻), sulphate (SO₄²⁻), non-purgeable total organic carbon (NPOC), total inorganic carbon (TIC), and total solids (TS), were quantified. Significant seasonal variations were observed in Concentration Removal Rates (CRR) and Mass Removal Rates (MRR) for all nutrients. Nitrate CRRs ranged from −39.1 % to +51.64 %, corresponding to reductions of up to 14.57 mg/L and increases of 26.71 mg/L in effluent concentrations, while MMRs varied between −77.13 % to +84.25 %, reflecting changes of −38.93 kg/day to +26.69 kg/day. For phosphate, CRRs ranged from −22.79 % to +2.57 %, and MMRs ranged from −71 % to +93.22 %, equivalent to −0.57 kg/day to +0.26 kg/day. These findings highlight the dynamic and sensitive mechanisms influencing nutrient removal in CWs, driven by seasonal hydraulic conditions, vegetation phenology, and climatic factors. The study provides critical insights for optimizing CW design and management under fluctuating environmental conditions to enhance their resilience, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain long-term treatment efficiency. This understanding is essential for guiding future regulatory policies and ensuring that CWs meet water quality standards in response to climate pressures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107350"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carbon nitride supported Co single-atom catalyst with low metal leaching for activation of peroxymonosulfate to degrade p-nitrophenol","authors":"Zhijian Liu ,&nbsp;Siqi Zhong ,&nbsp;Xiaoyue Zhang ,&nbsp;Ke Tian ,&nbsp;Taiping Qing ,&nbsp;Xiaoqing Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of efficient and practical catalysts has garnered significant attention in advanced oxidation systems. In this work, a carbon nitride supported single-atom cobalt catalyst (Co-NC) was synthesized using carbon black as the precursor for the carbon carrier through a co-pyrolysis method. This catalyst was then utilized to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and degrade p-nitrophenol (PNP). Through experimental investigation, it was found that the optimal conditions for synthesizing the Co-NC catalyst, which exhibited the best catalytic performance, involved setting the cobalt acetate tetrahydrate to carbon black ratio at 0.4 mol/g, the cobalt acetate tetrahydrate to 1,10-phenanthroline ratio at 1:3, and the pyrolysis temperature at 650 °C. With a cobalt content of only 0.4 wt%, the catalyst exhibits a specific surface area of 372.6 m²/g and an optimal defect degree of 1.04. Under the catalytic action driven by singlet oxygen-identified as the primary active species via EPR-the degradation rate of PNP reaches 95 % within 30 min. The high catalytic activity of Co-NC catalyst derived from its unique Co<img>N coordination and bond length. Notably, the concentration of Co ions leaching in the reaction solution remains below 0.05 mg/L. Additionally, experimental evidence confirms its applicability across diverse water qualities. This study presented a new single-atom catalyst with excellent PMS activation and provided valuable insights into the rational design of catalysts with low metal ion leaching.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107418"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143620807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carbon nanotube incorporated polyphenol electro-responsive ultrafiltration membranes toward dye separation","authors":"Xinyi Wang,&nbsp;Zezhen Zhang,&nbsp;Weishan Deng,&nbsp;Haolan Xiao,&nbsp;Liming Xia,&nbsp;Lili Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107379","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107379","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbon nanotube (CNT) is a promising raw material for membrane fabrication due to its good electrical conductivity, great specific surface area, and special piping structure.</div><div>In this report, tannin (TA), CNT, and D-aspartic acid (DAS) were <em>co</em>-deposited on the surface of polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membrane to construct an electrically responsive coating. The membrane can maintain the high electrical conductivity while avoiding the membrane defects due to the accumulation of CNTs and the different lengths of chain segments in the process of CNT co-blending to form the membrane. The results show that the average pore size of the membrane is reduced from 19.55 nm to 8.165 nm, and the retention capacity is greatly improved, showing good separation efficiency (99.5 %) and hydrophilicity (water contact angle of 13°). Through adsorption and electric field deflection, CNT endows the membrane with the ability to selectively separate dyestuffs with different electrically charged properties. Long-term stability tests show that the modified membrane still maintains a high level of pure water flux and conductivity after seven days of operation. This paper is of exploratory significance in the field of electrically responsive smart membranes for dye separation. The membrane developed in this study exhibits unique selective separation performance and can dynamically adjust its separation efficiency by externally controlling the electric field strength. This demonstrates its excellent intelligence, making it highly promising for applications in electrically responsive intelligent separation membranes. Additionally, it offers a novel approach for treating dye-containing wastewater using electrically charged functional membranes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107379"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Priming effect of different DOM components on the degradation of organic matter during the decomposition period of Phragmites australis: Microbiological mechanisms","authors":"Junhao Chen,&nbsp;Huiyan Shen,&nbsp;Xiang Zhang,&nbsp;Weihua Li,&nbsp;Jin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107463","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107463","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dissolved organic matter (DOM), as nutrient source for the survival and metabolism of microorganisms, has a significant impact on the decomposition process of aquatic plants. However, the priming effects (PE) of different DOM components on plant degradation and the mechanisms of microbial community composition remain unclear. In this study, the microenvironment constructed by <em>Phragmites australis</em>, DOM, and microorganisms. The PE of DOM components on the decomposition of aquatic plants and its microbial mechanisms were investigated through microbial sequencing technology and spectral analysis. Results show that adding DOM components alters the overlying water's chemical environment, generating PE of −66 % to 67 % for nitrogen and phosphorus release, with positive PE lasting 1–16 days. Also, adding DOM components yields positive PE up to 414 % for the degradation of the same-type DOM components released during decomposition. The addition of DOM not only directly affected the microbial community but also influenced the community through changes in environmental physicochemical factors. Tryptophan and tyrosine's addition increased the relative abundance of bacterial genera such as <em>Singulisphaera</em> and <em>Paludisphaera</em>, which were significantly correlated with the C1 and C2 components. Compared with amino acids, glucose addition could quickly induce the response of dominant populations. The relative abundance of <em>Bacteroidetes</em>, which decomposes and metabolizes recalcitrant organic matter, increased by up to 23 % with the addition of humic acid. In conclusion, different DOM components could affect organic matter degradation during the decomposition of aquatic plants by regulating microbial community structure, which has important implications for understanding matter cycling in lakes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107463"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143620812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molding of the ATP/5A/ZIF composite for simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater: Investigation of adsorption mechanisms and performance evaluation","authors":"Hongji Li ,&nbsp;Ke Ding ,&nbsp;Tao Zhang ,&nbsp;Jing Yang ,&nbsp;Cong Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107470","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107470","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, a highly efficient composite composed of attapulgite (ATP), 5 A-zeolite (5 A), and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), referred to as ATP/5 A/ZIF, was developed for the simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. The solvent evaporation method was used to fabricate this composite for the removal of excess amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from rural domestic wastewater discharges. To address the challenges of separating and recycling powdered adsorbents, a foaming agent was used to mold the ATP/5 A/ZIF composite. The resulting molded ATP/5 A/ZIF composite achieved simultaneous removal efficiencies of 70.93 % for ammonia nitrogen and 95.27 % for phosphorus. The surface properties and structural characteristics of ATP/5 A/ZIF were evaluated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. To understand the mechanism of simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal by ATP/5 A/ZIF, its adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and thermodynamics were studied. Phosphate was primarily removed through ligand exchange, electrostatic attraction, and hydrogen bonding, whereas ammonia nitrogen removal was driven by ion exchange, hydrogen bonding and dipole interactions. The molded ATP/5 A/ZIF composite exhibited excellent nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency, a low dissipation rate, high mechanical strength, and effective recyclability after adsorption. These attributes are significant because they effectively reduce production costs and significantly increase economic efficiency. Furthermore, scouring forces and water flow agitation during treatment can cause material loss or fragmentation. However, the mechanical strength and chemical stability of the molded composite were enhanced to withstand challenging water treatment conditions, making it highly suitable for nitrogen and phosphorus removal from rural wastewater discharges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107470"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"TiO₂-based photocatalytic degradation of microplastics in water: Current status, challenges and future perspectives","authors":"Danilo Bertagna Silva ,&nbsp;Ana C. Marques","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107465","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107465","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics are a growing environmental concern due to their persistence, widespread presence in water bodies and uncertain toxic effects on ecosystems and humans. TiO₂-based photocatalysis has emerged as a promising method for degrading microplastics, yet its application is still largely confined to controlled laboratory settings. This review highlights recent developments in the photocatalytic degradation of common plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate. The process involves generating reactive oxygen species, which initiate chain reactions that break down polymer chains into smaller byproducts. However, the lack of standardized protocols complicates the assessment of photocatalysis performance for microplastic degradation, especially in complex wastewater environments. Despite TiO₂’s advantages, including low cost and stability, its photocatalytic efficiency is often hindered by factors like low solar spectrum efficiency, mass transfer limitations, and charge recombination. These challenges result in low degradation rates and inconsistent outcomes. Further research is needed to improve photocatalyst design, reactor configurations and the standardization of degradation assessment techniques. Additionally, the potential formation of harmful byproducts raises concerns, requiring further investigation of their ecotoxicological impacts. When combined with other treatment methods, TiO₂ photocatalysis shows promise for addressing microplastic pollution and other emerging pollutants in water treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107465"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insight into the photothermal Fenton-like degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride by cu/Ce modified Na-X zeolites: Performance, mechanism, and degradation pathways","authors":"Min Zhou ,&nbsp;Dan Zheng ,&nbsp;Kun Yang ,&nbsp;Lifang Hu ,&nbsp;Zhongbiao Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107482","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107482","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fenton catalytic oxidation is a prevalent advanced oxidation technology that can be integrated with photocatalysis and thermal catalysis to enhance the degradation of antibiotic wastewater. Zeolites, a distinctive class of crystalline material, are extensively employed in Fenton-like catalytic oxidation due to their robust structure and exceptional catalytic efficacy. In this study, we constructed a novel Cu/Ce-X catalyst via an ion exchange process based on a Na-X zeolite matrix. The crystal phases, framework structures, elemental compositions, specific surface areas, and photothermal catalytic activity of the composite catalyst were characterized systematically. The removal of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) was 87.69 % in the photothermal Fenton-like degradation, and the apparent first-order kinetics rate constant was 13.6 times, 6.52 times, and 1.72 times greater than those of the Fenton-like, photo Fenton-like, and thermal Fenton-like systems, respectively. The adaptability, reusability, reaction mechanisms, and degradation pathways of the fabricated catalysts for the removal of TCH were investigated. The experimental and characterization results demonstrate that the redox cycling of Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ and Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ was enhanced through photogenerated electrons and thermal effects in the catalytic degradation process. The primary active species generated in the photothermal Fenton-like system is ·OH. The findings of this research provide a viable strategy for the treatment and remediation of water pollution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107482"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143611420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A unidirectional water transport bilayer Janus membrane with gradient pore structure for effective oil-water separation","authors":"Saihong Cao ,&nbsp;Shu Yang ,&nbsp;Ying Jin ,&nbsp;Hongming Xiang ,&nbsp;Haifan Fan ,&nbsp;Zakira Tabassum ,&nbsp;Kangkang Ou ,&nbsp;Kaikai Chen ,&nbsp;Binjie Xin","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107446","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107446","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of high-performance oil-water separation membranes necessitates addressing the inherent challenges of high energy consumption while ensuring both high flux and durability. In this study, we propose an electrospun Janus membrane with an asymmetric structure, consisting of a hydrophilic layer made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), and a hydrophobic layer composed of polycaprolactone (PCL), referred to as the PPCL membrane. By constructing a gradient pore structure within the bilayer membrane, we enhance capillary forces to achieve superior unidirectional water transport. This design allows water droplets to permeate the Janus membrane in just 0.05 s, with a diffusion rate of 217.6 mm²/s and a diffusion area of 1084.9 mm². The separation efficiency is found to positively correlate with both the diffusion area and rate, while negatively correlating with time, thereby confirming the beneficial effect of unidirectional water transport on oil-water separation. Even after 9 oil-water separation cycles, the PPCL-16 % membrane maintains stable separation efficiencies of 92.5 ± 1.8 % for white mineral oil-water mixtures and 91.3 ± 1.2 % for dichloromethane emulsions, while consistently achieving an oil-in-water emulsion flux exceeding 205 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹. In summary, this study offers theoretical support for the design and optimization of unidirectional water transport membranes in oil-water separation applications, ensuring low energy consumption while emphasizing high separation flux and efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 107446"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143600747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}