Zwitterionic Polymer Hairy Coating onto Mesh toward Easy Oil/Water Separation

Abstract

A zwitterionic polymeric hair‐coated stainless steel mesh membrane is fabricated, which demonstrates efficient separation of oil/water mixtures and emulsions. The hairy coating of poly(divinylbenzene‐co‐vinylbenzene chloride) is generated by precipitation cationic polymerization, and subsequently grafting a zwitterionic polymer layer by atom transfer radical polymerization of sulfobetaine methacrylate. The microstructure of the hairy coating is tunable from an array of individual nanofibers to porous networks by interweaving of the hairs. The long‐range attraction of zwitterionic polymers with water renders the coated mesh with excellent superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic performance. The coated mesh is highly antifouling to avoid the prehydration in conventional methods. Moreover, the microstructure is demonstrated to be responsible for the high separation efficiency of oil/water emulsion. Therefore, separation of oil/water mixtures and emulsions becomes easier by the coated mesh, which is promising in industrial oil field sewage treatment.

C,N co-doped TiO2 hollow nanofibers coated stainless steel meshes for oil/water separation and visible light-driven degradation of pollutants

“…An example P(DVB- co -VBC) nanofibers coated mesh was prepared by precipitate cationic polymerization of DVB and VBC in the presence of span-80 as our previous work 26 . The SEM image of pristine stainless steel mesh (size of 2000 mesh) shows the wires with smooth surface (Fig.…”

“…Water can pass through the superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic membrane, but oil is repelled, avoiding the polluting of the membrane. To achieve the superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic surface, the membrane or framework was usually coated with hydrogel networks 22 , 23 , polyelectrolyte chains 24 , 25 , zwitterionic polymers 26 , 27 , hydrophilic polysaccharides 28 , 29 , etc. As most inorganic nanoparticles containing hydrophilic groups, they could be coated or in situ grew on the membrane or framework to fabricate the superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic surface.…”

“…1 . First of all, the polymeric poly(divinylbenzene- co -vinylbenzene chloride), P(DVB- co -VBC), nanofibers coated mesh was prepared by the precipitate cationic polymerization following with our previous work 11 , 26 , 67 , 68 . Then, the N element and cationic group were introduced through the quaternization of triethylamine with benzyl chloride functional group in the PVBC segment.…”

Cell Membrane Mimetic Coating for Excellent Antifouling, Antibacterial Corrosion, and Self‐Cleaning Separation of Massive Oil–Water Mixtures

“…Although zwitterionic polymers have been immobilized onto high flux stainless steel meshes (SSMs) by mussel inspired glue of polydopamine (PDA), [ 27,28 ] the hydrophilic polymer coating is easily detachable from the skeleton under harsh conditions due to the physical interaction of PDA. [ 29 ]…”

“…Although zwitterionic polymers have been immobilized onto high flux stainless steel meshes (SSMs) by mussel inspired glue of polydopamine (PDA), [27,28] the hydrophilic polymer coating is easily detachable from the skeleton under harsh conditions due to the physical interaction of PDA. [29] The corrosion of the metal meshes by saline water, as well as by bacteria, is another challenging problem need to deal with. Oilfield waters and crude oil usually contain iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB).…”