Underwater superoleophobicity of poly(vinyl alcohol) gel-coated/micro-arc oxidized Al mesh for oil-water separation

In response to the fact that oil removal materials were easily contaminated by viscous oil, materials with easy cleaning ability and long-term efficiency were developed for oil-water separation in this study. The ceramic coating was prepared on the surface of aluminum mesh by the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) method, and poly (vinyl alcohol) gel (PVA) was used to cover the MAO Al mesh. PVA@MAO Al mesh with subsea oil repellent function was prepared. As expected, PVA@MAO Al mesh exhibited good hydrophilic properties in the air and oleophobic properties underwater. The synthetic PVA@MAO Al mesh exhibited good self-cleaning properties, chemical stability, and abrasion resistance. Compared with the traditional oil-water separation method, this method has a simple preparation process, low cost, and excellent performance. These properties make PVA@-MAO Al mesh ideal for oil-water separation. It has wide application prospects in oil spill cleanup, wastewater treatment, and water purification.

Automated summary

New oil-water separation materials were developed in this study, which had easy cleaning ability and long-term efficiency. The materials, consisting of ceramic coating on aluminum mesh and covered with poly (vinyl alcohol) gel, demonstrated good self-cleaning properties and oil repellent function. With a simple preparation process, low cost, and excellent performance, the PVA@MAO Al mesh has wide application prospects in oil spill cleanup, wastewater treatment, and water purification.