Switchable and simultaneous oil/water separation induced by prewetting with a superamphiphilic self-cleaning mesh

Abstract

To address the challenges for the common single-mesh oil/water separation, prewetting-induced simultaneous separation methodology with the same material is developed and achieved by a self-fabricated superamphiphilic TiO2-coated stainless steel mesh with switchable transportation manners of oil and water based on its superhydrophobicity under oil and strong oleophobicity under water. Furthermore, the mesh is highly recyclable in its separation efficiency (more than 99.9%), flux and self-cleaning property, and tends to be a promising material for controllable oil/water separation.