Nanoscale SiO2-coated superhydrophobic meshes via electro-spray deposition for oil-water separation

Abstract

Oil slick collection is an important way to treat oil-bearing wastewater and oil spill discharge. Superhydrophobic materials have attracted increasing attention in oil-water separation. An interesting method of constructing superhydrophobic meshes was presented. A mesh was coated with nanoscale SiO2 particles via electro-spray deposition to form microstructure mesh, which was then modified by odecyltrimethoxysilane to be superhydrophobic and superlipophilic. The whole construction process was easy without the requirement of complex equipment or chemical reagents. Stainless steel mesh, copper mesh and acrylic mesh were treated to be superhydrophobic. The oil slick collection rate reached 95% with high oil flow. The constructed superhydrophobic mesh could work at high temperature, low temperature or salty solution. After 20 times of use, the superhydrophobic meshes maintained a high collection rate. The significant advantages of this method are the ability to be free from material constraints, high collection rate and environmental friendliness, showing great application potential.