Designing a High-Performance Oil–Water Filtration System: Surface-Enhanced Quartz with Hydrophilic Nanoparticles for Sustainable Water Reuse and Global Water Scarcity Solutions

The increasing demand for freshwater resources, coupled with industrial pollution, necessitates improved water treatment technologies. This study investigates the potential of quartz-based filtration systems enhanced with hydrophilic nanoparticles for efficient oil-water separation. The quartz material, abundant and cost-effective, was processed and modified through sequential coatings to enhance its hydrophilicity and separation efficiency. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy, were employed to evaluate surface morphology, chemical composition, and structural integrity at different stages of coating. The findings demonstrated that the first coating achieved the most uniform nanoparticle distribution, significantly improving hydrophilicity and separation efficiency, reducing oil content in filtrates to 17.3 mg/L. Subsequent coatings resulted in agglomeration and pore clogging, leading to diminished performance. Validation through mathematical models corroborated experimental observations, confirming the first coating’s superior balance of nanoparticle integration, permeability, and separation efficiency. This research highlights the potential of surface-engineered quartz as a scalable, cost-effective solution for sustainable water reuse. Future work will focus on optimizing coating techniques, scaling up, and integrating the system with complementary technologies to enhance water treatment processes.