Application of Superhydrophobic Fabric of Reversible Wettability in Oil-Water Separation

The work aims to prepare a superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic fabric of convertible wettability for oil-water se-paration. A micron-submicron structure was constructed on the surface of polyester/cotton fabric in the method of chemical copper-plating, then the fabric was immersed in dodecanoic acid ethanol solution to obtain superhydrophobic fabric. Surface morphology, element distribution and wettability of the polyester/cotton fabric were tested with scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDXS) and contact angle tester. The copper-plated polyester/cotton fabric modified with the dodecanoic acid was of super hydrophobic property, and its contact angle with water was 151.9°. In addition, the reversible transition of wettability could be realized by changing pH of the environment where superhydrophobic fabric was, which could make oil-water seperation possible with separation efficiency of 98% and separation cycle index of over 80 times. Superhydrophobic fabric for oil/water separation can be successfully fabricated by constructing rough surface based on electro-less copper plating and modifying it with dodecanoic acid, a low surface energy substance. Superhydrophilic fabric can be obtained by increasing pH value of the environment where the fabric is. Both superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic fabrics can be used for oil-water separation. © 2017, Chongqing Wujiu Periodicals Press. All rights reserved.