A robust copper mesh-based superhydrophilic/superoleophobic composite for high-flux oil-water separation

With the fast growing of oily contaminants, continuous oil/water separation with high flux is in demand. Superhydrophilic/superoleophobic composites are considered as ideal candidates. In this work, the oil-water separation composite is from superhydrophilic copper mesh coated by robust superhydrophilic/superoleophobic paint based on fluorine-containing epoxy resin. Firstly, a superhydrophilic/superoleophobic coating with excellent comprehensive properties was prepared through hydrophilic epoxy and superhydrophilic/superoleophobic TiO2. Then copper mesh was treated into being superhydrophilic, and the superhydrophilic/superoleophobic coating was sprayed on the superhydrophilic copper mesh to obtain oil-water separation material. As a result, the oil-water separation efficiency of the separation material is higher than 99.7%, the water flux is higher than 80,000 L m(-2) h(-1), and it has excellent mechanical properties. The oil-water separation material is promising for the applications.