Hierarchical Flower-Like ZnO/BiOCl Nanostructures Integrated into Electrospun Polymer Membranes for Wastewater Remediation and Antifungal Applications

Multifunctional membranes incorporating nanomaterials are being developed to address wastewater treatment. In view of this, hierarchical flower-like ZnO/BiOCl nanostructures were synthesized on an electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride matrix, yielding a fibrous nanostructure-embedded membrane. It exhibited wettability properties of superhydrophilicity in air and underwater superoleophobicity. The membrane separated oil-in-water emulsion at a rate of 1911 ± 4 L/m 2 h and removed 97% of methylene blue dye in a single filtration step. This result comes from the BiOCl layered structure and the hydroxyl-rich ZnO, which helps to stabilize the hydration layer and lower oil fouling. The membrane also showed stability both mechanically and chemically. Furthermore, the membrane resisted fungal colonization by Fusarium oxysporum . The properties of oil-in-water (O/W) separation, dye adsorption, and antifungal activity within a single nanofibrous membrane present a strategy for sustainable wastewater treatment and reuse.