One-step fabrication of a nickel foam-based superhydrophobic and superoleophilic box for continuous oil-water separation

Developing novel oil-water separation material, especially with uncomplicated fabrication and easily continuous separation procedure, is of great significance for environmental protection, but it is still a worldwide challenge. In this study, we present a simple one-step copolymerization method for fabrication organics coated three-dimensional material based on commercial nickel foam with dopamine and octadecylamine. The as-prepared nickel foam shows high superhydrophobicity with water contact angle (CA) of 154A degrees A A +/- A 2A degrees, water shedding angle of 4A degrees A A +/- A 1A degrees and superoleophilicity with oil CA of almost 0A degrees. The as-prepared foam can fast and selectively remove oil from water due to its special wettability and porous structure. Besides, the foam can be manipulated to realize oil-water separation with a magnet bar due to its intrinsic magnetism. More interestingly, because of it being lightweight, and softness and toughness performance, the as-prepared foam can continuously remove and collect oil from water surface by folding it to a closed hollow box, which integrates the functions of oil containment boom, oil-absorption material and oil skimmer into one device. We believe that this research can provide a nice idea to design new material and device for practical oil-water separation.