CO2-Switchable-hydrophilicity membrane (CO2-SHM) triggered by electric potential: faster switching time along with efficient oil/water separation.

We report a membrane that can be reversibly switched between a hydrophilic state and a hydrophobic state simply by alternately bubbling CO2 into and passing electric potential (EP) through a solution in contact with the membrane. The prepared membrane could be effectively used for oil/water separation.