A critical review of membranes made of nanofibres polymeric materials for application of treating oily wastewater

Abstract Oily wastewater poses a significant threat to human health and the environment, especially when it contains emulsified oil. Traditional treatment methods often fail to address this type of wastewater effectively. Therefore, developing advanced treatment methods to make such water suitable for various applications has become a pressing issue. The electrospinning technology has emerged as the most effective method due to its high separation efficiency. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the methodologies employed in nanofibres production across diverse techniques, along with concise insights. It also offers a survey of various methods for fabricating polymer membranes via the electrospinning technique, shedding light on the parameters affecting the electrospinning process. Furthermore, this review elucidates the fundamental concepts of membrane fouling, clarifying the mechanisms and factors contributing to fouling. We addressed advantages and disadvantages of methods used to create polymeric nanofibre membranes via the electrospinning technique. The needleless electrospinning technique eliminates the need for a nozzle to jet the nanofibres, preventing clogging. This method results in higher nanofibres production rates compared to the needle electrospinning technique. However, it does require a more complex setup. On the other hand, the needle electrospinning technique is often successfully employed in laboratory‐scale settings due to its more straightforward setup. However, it necessitates using a cleaning device for each needle, which can become impractical for nanofibre production. The main challenges facing electrospun nanofibrous membranes were also presented. The development of eco‐friendly nanofibers is outlined in the future perspective of this review.