A superhydrophobic and superoleophilic miniature mesh box for oil spill clean up

Abstract

In this paper, we have fabricated a miniature mesh box (SS-MB) with surface superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity for possible application in the field of oil spill clean up. The superhydrophobic SS-MB was fabricated by boiling a sheet of copper mesh in CuSO₄ aqueous solution for an hour. The as-prepared SS-MB rapidly and selectively contained various industrial oils, with a high separation capacity, but did not adsorb any water due to its porosity, superoleophilicity and superhydrophobicity. Additionally, the oil contained by the SS-MB could be easily sucked out using a dropper, for reuse. After washing with toluene, the SS-MB could be used in the next oil–water separation cycle without losing its high separating ability even after 20 separation cycles. Furthermore, the SS-MB is stable under ambient conditions and also shows desirable corrosion resistance under conditions that mimic marine water. Therefore, the SS-MB has the advantages of easy fabrication, excellent oil–water separation and collection properties from the surface of the water, reusability, and reasonable stability under ambient and corrosive conditions, which make it suitable for the fast cleanup of oil spills.