Preparation of polyethylene glycol cross-link cellulose membranes and study on the properties in oil-water separation

Current oil-water separation techniques frequently employ cellulose membranes, though their pristine forms present operational constraints. This investigation develops a composite membrane through polyethylene glycol (PEG) cross-linking to overcome these limitations. The PEG-modified cellulose architecture demonstrates enhanced mechanical flexibility and water affinity via covalent network formation. Experimental data confirm a separation efficiency of 99.3% with concurrent permeation flux reaching 4218 L⋅m −2 ⋅h −1 . The engineered membrane retains stable surface characteristics under aggressive chemical exposure. Practical evaluation reveals sustained processing capability, achieving 33 metric tons of oil-seawater mixture treatment within 8 operational hours (throughput: 4.125 t⋅h⁻¹). This cross-linking strategy establishes improved operational durability while maintaining intrinsic cellulose advantages.