Journal of Materials Science, Vol.56, No.4, 3140-3154, 2021
High-flux oil-water separation with superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity ZIF-67@Cu(OH)(2) nanowire membrane
High flux superwetting material has reverse wettability to oil or water phase, which plays an important part in oil-water separation and is one of the current research hotspots. Herein, we reported a ZIF-67@Cu(OH)(2) nanowire array-coated metal mesh prepared using self-assembly and chemical oxidation method. These freshly prepared copper meshes with micro-/nanosecondary rough structure exhibit excellent underwater superoleophobicity and superhydrophilicity. Thus, the as-prepared mesh membrane has an excellent separation capability and can be used for oil-water separation. It shows extremely high efficiency oil-water separation function (99%), excellent cycling ability and high permeation flux (23,854 L m(-2) h(-1)) in several typical oil-water separation processes. The mesh membrane also shows excellent underwater superoleophobicity in different pH values conditions. Besides, the as-prepared mesh membrane shows excellent durability and stability. Consequently, this work provides an economical and effective method for modification on metal substrate to prepare a underwater superoleophobicity/superhydrophilicity material to realize efficient separation of oil-water mixtures.