Separation of used automobile oil/water mixture by Nylon 6/ZnO nanoparticles electrospun membrane

•The embedment of the ZnO NPs on the N6 fiber matrix was fabricated successfully.•A significant improvement in the hydrophilicity and fouling resistance for the modified membrane was observed.•Removals of COD, turbidity, TDS, and TSS were>90 % using ZnO NPs/N6 membrane.•The separation of the oil/water mixture was achieved even at water flux up to 215.14 LMH/bar.