Robust and UV-resistant multifunctional surface for self-cleaning, navigated oil absorption and oil/water separation

Abstract

Traditional self-cleaning surfaces are always limited to defects of poor robustness, complex preparation process and single function. In order to address these problems, we have constructed a versatile self-cleaning superhydrophobic surface with reliable robustness, photodegradation, ease of manufacturing and magnetic navigation. This function integrated surface is conveniently fabricated by spraying a fluorosilane modified TiO2/Fe3O4 nanoparticles suspension onto an adhesive coated substrate, which was made by directly spraying the adhesive onto both soft and hard substrates to improve the robustness. During the volatilization of the ethanol-based suspension, due to the superior compatibility between the solvent and the adhesive, the functional nanoparticles are embedded in the adhesive layer and are firmly bound to it. This superhydrophobic surface shows significant robustness to damage tests and remain self-cleaning property even immersed in oil. By using this surface in oil-water separation, it indicates excellent separation efficiency for various oi-water mixtures. Meanwhile, the superhydrophobic surface shows excellent potential applications as a function integrated oil-water separation device contributed by the photodegradation property of TiO2 nanoparticles and magnetic navigation property from Fe3O4 nanoparticles.