Asymmetrically superwetting Janus membrane constructed by laser-induced graphene (LIG) for on-demand oil–water separation and electrothermal anti-/de-icing

Abstract

Superwetting functional surfaces based on laser-induced graphene (LIG) have a wide range of applications in many fields. However, single wettability LIG films are difficult to respond to complex and changing environmental conditions. Despite the large number of experiments were carried out to demonstrate the formation of LIG, there is a lack of studies on the process and formation mechanisms of LIG. In this study, the conversion of PEI to graphene was systematically investigated by both experimental and molecular dynamics simulations. A new method for obtaining Janus membranes with both superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity by ethanol and plasma treatment of LIG is proposed. The asymmetrically superwetting Janus membrane are shown to realize the on-demand controllable separation of light oil–water and heavy oil–water. In addition, the superhydrophobic LIG is used as a coating material with excellent electrothermal properties, which provide the performance of anti-icing and electrothermal de-icing. The asymmetrically superwetting Janus membranes prepared by the proposed simple and environmentally friendly method are shown to have a variety of prospective applications.