Mussel inspired durable pH-responsive mesh for high-efficient oil/water separation

Abstract

The application of pH-responsive superwetting materials receives increasing attention in oil/water separation. In this work, a mussel inspired robust surface coating fabricated with dopamine, copolymer PDMAEMA-co-PHEMA-co-PHFBMA (PDHH) and SiO2 nanoparticles (DPS) was formed on stainless steel mesh to perform multiple repeatable oil/water separation. Herein, dopamine was chosen to provide strong adhesion strength and durability, endowing the mesh excellent stability in harsh environments, such as mechanical abrasion, acid/alkali immersion and UV irradiation. In virtue of pH stimulation, the as-prepared mesh can be reversibly switched between superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity. Moreover, the mesh possesses remarkable oil/water separation efficiency (SE) (≥98%) and desirable recyclability. An oil collector prepared by the mesh and kapok fiber showed good oil absorption capability in the range of 39.67–79.56 g/g. The facile and inexpensive preparation of the durable separation device enables it promising in actual oil/water separation. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]