Fabrication of stable superhydrophobic and superoleophilic copper meshes for the separation of oil/water

Abstract

Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic copper meshes were facilely prepared by means of Cu anodization and SAM formation of hydrophobic thiol chemicals for the application of the oil/water separation. The copper meshes were electrochemically anodized in 500mM NaOH solution under the current density of 2mA/cm2. Surface morphology and chemical composition were characterized through SEM, EDX and XRD analyses. From these analyses, the anodization of smooth Cu surface was confirmed to lead to the formation of a compact thin-film of copper hydroxide nanofibers with the severe surface roughness in micro and nano scales. Subsequent SAM formation by n-dodecanethiol rendered the anodized copper grid to be superhydrophobic.