Effects of Surface Microstructures on Superhydrophobic Properties and Oil-Water Separation Efficiency

Abstract

In order to explore the effects of microstructures of membranes on superhydrophobic properties, it is critical, though, challenging, to study microstructures with different morphologies. In this work, a combination of chemical etching and oxidation was used and some copper meshes were selected for grinding. Two superhydrophobic morphologies could be successfully prepared for oil-water separation: a parabolic morphology and a truncated cone morphology. The surface morphology, chemical composition, and wettability were characterized. The results indicated that the water contact angle and the advancing and receding contact angles of the parabolic morphology were 153.6°, 154.6° ± 1.1°, and 151.5° ± 1.8°, respectively. The water contact angle and the advancing and receding contact angles of the truncated cone morphology were 121.8°, 122.7° ± 1.6°, and 119.6° ± 2.7°, respectively. The separation efficiency of the parabolic morphology for different oil-water mixtures was 97.5%, 97.2%, and 91%. The separation efficiency of the truncated cone morphology was 93.2%, 92%, and 89%. In addition, the values of the deepest heights of pressure resistance of the parabolic and truncated cone morphologies were 21.4 cm of water and 19.6 cm of water, respectively. This shows that the parabolic morphology had good separation efficiency, pressure resistance, and superhydrophobic ability compared with the truncated cone morphology. It illustrates that microstructure is one of the main factors affecting superhydrophobic properties.