A photo-induced ZnO coated mesh for on-demand oil/water separation based on switchable wettability

作者：Yan, Long; Li, Jian^*; Li, Weijun; Zha, Fei; Feng, Hua; Hu, Dongcheng

来源：Materials Letters, 2016, 163: 247-249.

DOI：10.1016/j.matlet.2015.10.051

• ZnO nanoparticles
• Photo-induced
• Switchable wettability
• Contact angle
• Oil/water separation

We present a photo-induced mesh for on-demand oil/water separation based on the switchable wettability. This multifunctional coated surface was fabricated by spraying hydrophobic ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and waterborne polyurethane (PU) mixtures on stainless steel mesh. Reversible transition between superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity of the coated mesh can be rapidly realized by UV illumination and heat treatment alternately, which allows to change the mode of oil/water separation from oil-removing to water-removing. The oil-removing mode allows heavy oils in oil-water mixtures to permeate, while the water-removing mode letting water permeate. In addition, the high separation efficiency was achieved and the driving-force was only gravity. All these features make the photo-induced ZnO coated mesh an ideal candidate for on-demand separation of various oil/water mixtures.

• 出版日期2016-1-15
• 单位西北师范大学