TY - JOUR
T1 - A robust superhydrophobic-superoleophilic stainless steel mesh with superior mechanical durability and chemical stability for oil-water separation
AU - Ni, Yang
AU - Xu, Zhongmei
AU - Zhang, Xin
AU - Yin, Huawei
AU - Li, Tingzhen
AU - Hu, Chuanbo
N1 - The authors thank the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing of China [CSTB2024NSCQ-MSX1013, cstc2021jcyj-msxmX1139], the Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Education Commission [Grant numbers KJZD-K202304502, KJQN202201214, KJZD-M202301201], the Talent Program of Changshou (CSYC2025–002), and the Opening Project of Material Corrosion and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan province [Grant number 2024CL05].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2025/6/1
Y1 - 2025/6/1
N2 - The dumping of industrial oily waste water and regular oil spills have become more conspicuous. Effectively separating oil/water mixtures to protect and reuse water resources is an important issue in the global scientific community. Therefore, developing durable, high-throughput materials for oil/water separation is essential. This study employs a convenient, quick, and environmentally friendly one-step electrodeposition method to prepare a zinc-cobalt stearate (STA-Zn/Co) composite-coated mesh on stainless steel. Structural analysis of the coating was conducted using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), CLSM (Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy), XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) technologies, and tests were performed on the wettability and robustness of the composite mesh. It turned out that the optimal STA-Zn/Co mesh exhibits optimized biomimetic structure and mechanical stability, with outstanding wettability (WCA = 161.0±0.2°, WSA = 6.0°, OCA = 0°), which holds potential for oil-water separation. The STA-Zn/Co mesh was used in oil/water separation trials for various oil-water pairs, with a separation efficiency exceeding 94 %. In addition, the STA-Zn/Co mesh exhibits remarkable self-cleaning capabilities, stability, and resistance to both acidic and alkaline environments, along with corrosion resistance. Therefore, this efficient and low-cost one-step electrodeposition method provides a promising potential approach for achieving oil-water separation.
AB - The dumping of industrial oily waste water and regular oil spills have become more conspicuous. Effectively separating oil/water mixtures to protect and reuse water resources is an important issue in the global scientific community. Therefore, developing durable, high-throughput materials for oil/water separation is essential. This study employs a convenient, quick, and environmentally friendly one-step electrodeposition method to prepare a zinc-cobalt stearate (STA-Zn/Co) composite-coated mesh on stainless steel. Structural analysis of the coating was conducted using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), CLSM (Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy), XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) technologies, and tests were performed on the wettability and robustness of the composite mesh. It turned out that the optimal STA-Zn/Co mesh exhibits optimized biomimetic structure and mechanical stability, with outstanding wettability (WCA = 161.0±0.2°, WSA = 6.0°, OCA = 0°), which holds potential for oil-water separation. The STA-Zn/Co mesh was used in oil/water separation trials for various oil-water pairs, with a separation efficiency exceeding 94 %. In addition, the STA-Zn/Co mesh exhibits remarkable self-cleaning capabilities, stability, and resistance to both acidic and alkaline environments, along with corrosion resistance. Therefore, this efficient and low-cost one-step electrodeposition method provides a promising potential approach for achieving oil-water separation.
KW - Electrodeposition
KW - Oil/water separation
KW - Stainless steel mesh
KW - Superhydrophobic
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105003876147&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.surfin.2025.106578
DO - 10.1016/j.surfin.2025.106578
M3 - Journal article
SN - 2468-0230
VL - 66
JO - Surfaces and Interfaces
JF - Surfaces and Interfaces
M1 - 106578
ER -