Efficient removal of oil from oil contaminated water by superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic nano/micro structured TiO2 nanofibers coated mesh

Abstract

In this report, we investigated the TiO nanofibers coated stainless steel mesh as a novel underwater superoleophobic membrane for the effective separation of contaminated oil-water mixtures. The membrane was fabricated by spray deposition of hydrothermally synthesized TiO nanofibers on stainless steel mesh. The fabricated membrane exhibits superhydrophilicity and supereleophobicity properties in air and underwater respectively allowing the separation of oil-water efficiently. Randomly deposited TiO nanofibers on mesh exhibit rough surface property and hence superhydrophilic nature. Water oil separation efficiencies of ∼90 and ∼99% were achieved with this filter for less viscous and highly viscous oil respectively. Additionally, the TiO nanofibers coated mesh can degrade immiscible organic molecules due to photocatalytic activity of TiO nanofibers under UV light. As a result of self-cleaning property of TiO nanofibers coated mesh, the durability of the filter membrane is enhanced.

TiO2 Nanotubes Alginate Hydrogel Scaffold for Rapid Sensing of Sweat Biomarkers: Lactate and Glucose

“… 33 − 35 TiO 2 with 1-D structures, such as nanotubes and nanowires, or fibrous are candidates to enhance the superhydrophilicity and capillary activity of sensor platforms. 30 , 36 Therefore, the combination of both alginate hydrogels and the TiO 2 nanostructures could lead to an upstanding nanocomposite material to be employed as a biosensing platform.…”

A glucose modified filter paper for effective oil/water separation

“…22,23 By utilization of macromolecular layers, nano or micro-particles, nano bres, and etc., a large number of superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic materials have been described and drawn extensive attentions due to their highly efficient ltrations and broad application prospects on oil/water separation. 17,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Filter paper, with its porous structure constructed by cotton microbers, is widely used in solid-liquid separation. Natural cotton bres consist of numerous brils of b-glucose with cuticle covered by 55% cellulose and the other non-cellulosic compounds like pectin, protein, and wax, 39 which makes primary lter paper impractical for liquid-liquid separation.…”

Biomimetic Superlyophobic Metallic Surfaces: Focusing on Their Fabrication and Applications

“…The effectiveness of oil/water separation of the surface was studied by gravity driving device, and the obtained copper mesh showed an efficiency of 99.6% to remove kerosene from water. Gunatilake et al [271] sprayed a stainless steel mesh with hydrothermally synthesized titanium dioxide nanofibers. The contact angle of water with the treated stainless steel mesh was 2˚, the contact angle of oil in aqueous environment with the treated surface was 162˚, and the oil/water separation experiment was carried out based on this property.…”