Liquid-liquid extraction of phenolic wastewater through a surface modified poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) hollow fiber membrane contactor and process optimization

•SMM coating of porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) membranes was performed.•Contact angle of 109°, porosity of 82% and mean pore size of 18 nm were obtained.•Extraction of phenol through a membrane contactor system was investigated.•The maximum phenol flux of 2.02 × 10−3 kg/m2s was predicted by the response surface methodology.•The modified hollow fiber membrane is a proper option for industrial wastewater treatment.