An easy preparation of photo-response TiO2@copper wire mesh with quick on/off switchable superwetting for high efficiency oil–water separation

Abstract

With the increase of people's awareness of environmental protection and the enhancement of relevant management and regulations, the effective treatment of oily wastewater has gradually attracted people's attention. In this study, copper wire mesh (CWM) is used as the base. A convertible wettability titanium dioxide @CWM (TiO₂@CWM) micro–nanostructured surface of a filter screen was prepared using an easy hydrothermal method for separating different varieties of oily wastewater is presented. In particular, the rapid change of wettability can be achieved because of the photohydrophilic properties of TiO₂. A stearic acid modified filter screen has superhydrophobic properties and has the ability to separate a heavy oil–water mixture. However, when the light oil–water mixture needs to be separated, the surface wettability of the filter screen can be converted to superhydrophilicity using ultraviolet irradiation. This method can play a significant role in practical industrial applications because of its easy preparation process, fast wettability conversion and the product has a certain mechanical strength.