Synergistic High-flux Oil-Saltwater Separation and Membrane Desalination with Carbon Quantum Dots Functionalized Membrane

The treatment of offshore oil spills requires effective oil water separation, where oil would be recovered and the collected seawater would be used to generate fresh water for an emergency water supply. Herein, a hydrophobic membrane was fabricated simply by a controlled cross-linking reaction between C-18-CQDs (octadecylamine-functionalized carbon quantum dots) and commercial textiles using tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate. The modified membrane not only achieved efficient oil saltwater separation (up to 99%) but also exhibited unique permselectivity: highly permeable to water vapor yet impermeable to liquid water, which is feasible for water desalination. Our research offers an all-in-one prototype for oil water separation and saltwater desalination using a single type membrane.