Heat‐Resistant Superhydrophobic PC / PLA Fiber Membrane for Efficient Oil–Water Separation

ABSTRACT The treatment of high‐temperature oily wastewater remains a critical challenge in environmental and industrial applications. In this study, a high‐temperature‐resistant, superhydrophobic Polycarbonate/Polylactic acid (PC/PLA) fiber membrane was fabricated via electrospinning for efficient oil–water separation at elevated temperatures. By optimizing the PC content in PLA, the fabricated fibers exhibited a silk‐bead morphology, significantly enhancing the mechanical strength, thermal stability, and superhydrophobic properties of the PLA membrane. Experimental results demonstrate that the membrane exhibits exceptional separation performance for both oil–water mixtures and emulsions at 90°C, with separation efficiencies exceeding 99.5% and flux rates of 6800 L/(m 2 h) for oil–water mixtures and 750 L/(m 2 h) for emulsions. Moreover, the membrane maintains excellent superhydrophobicity (contact angle of 157.10°) and good mechanical properties (tensile strength of 3.45 MPa) even at temperatures up to 120°C. This study presents a novel and highly effective membrane material for high‐temperature oil–water separation, offering significant potential for applications in wastewater treatment and various industrial processes.