Preparation of oil‐water separation network based on the novel strategies of SiO2 ceramic micro‐nano structure and PDMS modification

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, we adopted the novel strategies of the soot template method to construct SiO2 ceramic micro‐nano structure surface and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) modification to reduce the surface energy. We fabricated a superhydrophobic/superoleophilic NS‐PDMS oil–water separation screen by depositing coarse nano‐SiO2 ceramic on the surface of 100‐mesh stainless‐steel screen used as a substrate under the soot template method, which reduced the surface energy with PDMS. The fabricated NS‐PDMS screen exhibited excellent superhydrophobic and self‐cleaning properties. In particular, the superhydrophobic properties were stably maintained under various harsh conditions. Overall, the screen manifested self‐cleaning ability for various water‐containing stains, for example, coffee, milk, beer, and soy sauce. The mechanically damaged screen surface still retained its high roughness, and re‐modification with PDMS could recover the superhydrophobic surface and oil–water separation performance. This suggests the re‐use potential of the damaged NS‐PDMS screen, which is vital for cost reduction and resource recycling. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature, because the fabricated NS‐PDMS screen is superhydrophobic, superoleophilic, resistant toward several water‐based solutions, chemically and mechanically stable under certain conditions, and can be reused with modification and repair after damage. Therefore, this screen can be broadly used as an oil–water separator.