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pH‐Responsive Superwettability Surface: The Study of Oil Dewetting Ability from Air to Water on a Rough Surface and Selective Oil‐Water Separation
Author(s) -
Tang Lei,
Zeng Zhixiang,
Wang Gang,
Shen Luli,
Zhu Lijing,
Zhang Yingxin,
Xue Qunji
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.202001147
Subject(s) - wetting , materials science , dewetting , chemical engineering , adsorption , desorption , separation process , nanotechnology , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering
Responsive smart surfaces with controllable wettability have a high potential application in self‐cleaning and oil‐water separation. In this work, a new and simple method is reported to fabricate a pH‐responsive superwettability surface. And the self‐cleaning performance from air to water after oil contamination in a dry state is studied. Wettability regulation can be achieved by controlling the ratio of carboxyl groups with protonation or deprotonation state in acid or basic solutions. Rough surface with 40% carboxyl content (X COOH = 0.4) shows the most significant response. The surface is superoleophilic underwater after wetted in acid solution in advance but superoleophobic underwater with basic solution pre‐wetted. Oil desorption can be achieved under the superoleophobic state to realize the self‐cleaning effect on a rough surface with a complex process. The dynamic self‐cleaning process can be achieved by changing the pH value of the solution. This pH‐responsive surface also has a good self‐cleaning effect for the common water and solid pollutants. Moreover, a smart separation system with the ability to realize selective oil‐water separation under two different states is prepared. It is believed that the results reported could broaden the understanding of self‐cleaning systems and open a new perspective in controlling wettability.