title: Fabrication of optimized oil-water separation devices through the targeted treatment of silica meshes.
abstract: Efficient oil-water separation is achieved using an optimized superhydrophobic material, generated by the zeolitic roughening and subsequent hydrophobic surface treatment of silica filter membranes. The material is both highly rough and intrinsically hydrophobic, resulting in superhydrophobic membranes which show a substantial affinity for hydrophobic solvents and oils. The membranes are syringe-mounted, suction pressure is applied and the selective collection of oil is achieved. The membranes are extremely robust, which is a result of the zeolitic roughening process, they possess small pores (0.7μm), as a result these devices can perform complete separation and operate at a range of suction pressures. The devices could be readily used in a range of real-world applications, including oil spill clean-up and industrial filters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
authors.forename: Colin R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Crick
authors.affiliation: Materials Chemistry Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H OAJ, UK.
authors.forename: Feyza Tunali
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.affiliation: Materials Chemistry Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H OAJ, UK.
authors.forename: Ivan P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Parkin
keywords: filter; oil–water separation; superhydrophobic; surface functionalization; water purification; zeolite