Electrospun PAN/PVA-CS Membranes with Asymmetric Wettability for Simultaneous Emulsion Separation and Dye Removal

Multifunctional membranes capable of simultaneously separating oil–water emulsions and removing organic dyes from complex aqueous systems have garnered considerable attention in recent years. However, the facile fabrication of high-performance membranes that integrate both separation and adsorption functions remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report the fabrication of a polyacrylonitrile/polyvinyl alcohol–chitosan (PAN/PVA-CS) bilayer membrane with asymmetric wettability via electrospinning. The micro/nanostructures and surface wettability of the as-prepared membranes were precisely tailored by modulating the chitosan (CS) concentration. The resultant PAN/PVA-CS membrane exhibited an overall separation efficiency exceeding 97.5% for mechanically emulsified samples. Notably, the PVA-CS layer demonstrated superhydrophilicity and excellent underwater oleophobicity, enabling the gravity-driven simultaneous separation of oil-in-water emulsions and adsorption of water-soluble Congo red dye without requiring external pressure. The maximum adsorption capacity for Congo red reached 61.3 mg g−1, surpassing that of numerous reported membrane-based and adsorbent materials. Concurrently, the hydrophobic PAN layer in the bilayer structure enabled the separation of water-in-oil emulsions. Overall, this work provides a promising strategy for the rational design of asymmetrically wettable multifunctional membranes with great potential for practical application in the purification of complex industrial wastewater containing both emulsified oils and soluble organic dyes.