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Flexible, Durable, and Unconditioned Superoleophobic/Superhydrophilic Surfaces for Controllable Transport and Oil–Water Separation
Author(s) -
Li Feiran,
Wang Ziran,
Huang Suichu,
Pan Yunlu,
Zhao Xuezeng
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201706867
Subject(s) - superhydrophilicity , materials science , surface tension , emulsion , durability , abrasion (mechanical) , substrate (aquarium) , composite material , chemical engineering , wetting , engineering , oceanography , physics , quantum mechanics , geology
Superoleophobic/superhydrophilic surfaces have incomparable advantages for oil–water separation and oil droplet manipulation; however, such surfaces are difficult to obtain on the basis of surface tension theory, and existing attempts are either not fully functional or are nondurable. Here, a solution to achieve the combination of superoleophobicity and superhydrophilicity by emphasizing the polar component of surface tension is proposed. The developed surfaces can be flexibly applied to almost any solid substrate and exhibit superoleophobic and instantaneous superhydrophilic property. The surfaces applied to certain substrates can be used for controllable oil transport, oil–water separation, and emulsion demulsification. Furthermore, a novel ferroconcrete‐like structure to substantially increase the durability of the developed surfaces without affecting the superwettability is developed. The coated steel meshes preserve the ability of the material to separate oil–water mixtures even after over 400 m abrasion, which can be a significant step toward its widespread application.