Robust self-healing superhydrophobic cotton fabric for durable and efficient oil–water separation

Abstract

Superhydrophobic materials have great application prospects in oil–water separation. However, they are easily polluted by waste oil in the long-term process of oil–water separation, which leads to a reduction in oil–water separation efficiency and oil flux. In this study, superhydrophobic cotton fabrics with self-healing properties were successfully prepared by a step-by-step method. After being submerged in acidic solution for 12 hours at pH 2, an alkaline solution for 3 hours at pH 12, and ethanol with ultrasonication for 12 hours, and subjected to mechanical abrasion for 25 cycles, the superhydrophobic cotton fabric retained its superhydrophobicity. With an oil–water separation efficiency of 99% and an oil flow rate of up to 16.21 m³ m⁻² h⁻¹, the superhydrophobic cotton fabric also performed well in terms of oil–water separation. In addition, the self-healing properties of the superhydrophobic cotton fabric could extend its service life as a separation membrane in oil–water separation.