Vertically-aligned carbon nano-tube membrane filters with superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity

A membrane filter possessing both superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity is of great interest for the possible separation of oil and water. Such a filter was realized in this study by synthesizing vertically-aligned multi-walled carbon nano-tubes on a stainless steel mesh. The dual-scale structure, nano-scale needle-like tubes on the mesh with micro-scale pores, combined with the low surface energy of carbon amplified both hydrophobicity and oleophilicity. For the tests, diesel was selected as a representative of low viscosity oils. The contact angles for diesel and water were 0 degrees and 163 +/- 4 degrees. The nano-tube filter could separate diesel and water layers, and even surfactant-stabilized emulsions. The successful phase separation of the high viscosity lubricating oil and water emulsions was also carried out. The separation mechanism can be readily expanded to a variety of different hydrophobic and oleophilic liquids. The simple nano-tube filter might be practically employed in environmental and chemical separation processes including oil spill cleanup. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.