Superhydrophobic–superoleophilic copper–graphite/styrene–butadiene–styrene based cotton filter for efficient separation of oil derivatives from aqueous mixtures

Abstract

A superhydrophobic/superoleophilic cotton fabric composed of copper–graphite/styrene–butadiene–styrene (Cu–G/SBS) nanocomposites on the cellulose fibers has been fabricated and used as a filter for separation of gas condensates and oily solvents from aqueous mixture. First, hierarchical flower-like Cu–G nanocomposites were prepared by controlling the reduction reaction parameters such as type of reducing agent, surfactant, reaction time and weight ratio of copper to graphite. Thereafter, the coating composition of Cu–G and SBS mixtures were applied on the surface of cotton fabric by a facile dip-coating approach. Contact angle analysis of modified cotton fabric by Cu–G–SBS composites exhibited water contact angle and oil contact angle about 152° and 0°, respectively. When the superhydrophobic/superoleophilic cotton fabric was employed as a filter to separate oily solvent from water and high separation efficiency above 94% with good recyclability and stability was obtained. The result suggests that as-fabricated cotton fabric filter can be used for efficient oil/water separation in industrial applications.