An eco-friendly and facile method for oil-water separation using the bio-Zn oxide-based superhydrophobic membrane.

This manuscript presents a novel approach for developing an environmentally friendly and effective oil-water separation membrane. Achieving a superhydrophobic (SH) coating on textile fabric (TF) involved a two-step process. Initially, the surface roughness was enhanced by applying bio-zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles obtained from Thymbra spicata L. Subsequently, the roughened surface was modified with stearic acid, a material known for its low surface energy. The bio-ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a circular morphology with an average size of 21 nm. The coating demonstrated remarkable mechanical stability, maintaining SH properties even after an abrasion length of 300 mm. Chemical stability studies revealed that the prepared membrane retained SH properties within a pH range of 5-11, which ensures robust performance. Absorption capacity measurements showcased different capacities for n-hexane (Hex), corn oil (C.O), and silicone oil (S.O), with consistent performance over 10 absorption-desorption cycles. High oil-water separation efficiencies were achieved for hexane, C.O, and S.O, emphasizing the coating's versatility. Flux rate measurements demonstrated that oil passed through the membrane efficiently, with the highest flux observed for Hex. The prepared SH membrane has superior mechanical and chemical stability and high separation efficiencies, which positions it as a promising candidate for diverse industrial applications.

Bio-copper nanoparticle-based superhydrophobic membranes for sustainable oil/water separation.

The effective separation of oil and water presents a significant global challenge due to the growing prevalence of industrial oily wastewater. In this investigation, a superhydrophobic (SP) coating based on bio-copper (Cu) was successfully created using the grape seed extract and applied onto a textile fabric (TF) to create a highly efficient membrane for oil-water (O-W) separation. The characteristics of the resulting bio-Cu nanoparticles, including surface area, morphology, and composition, were examined. The developed SP TF (STF) membrane, based on bio-Cu, underwent extensive analysis of its wettability, morphology, surface composition, oil absorption capacity, O-W separation performance, flux rate, mechanical stability, and chemical stability. The STF membrane exhibited excellent SP properties, with a high-water contact angle of 156° and a low water sliding angle of 2°, indicating its exceptional ability to repel water. Furthermore, the membrane demonstrated a remarkable oil absorption capacity, separation efficiency, and the flux rate toward three different oils (diesel, corn oil, and kerosene). It displayed good mechanical and chemical stability, with the ability to withstand abrasion and immersion in solutions of different pH values for varying exposure times. These findings highlight the potential of the bio-Cu-based STF membrane as an effective and durable solution for O-W separation applications.

Sustainable synthesis of superhydrophobic textile filters for oil/water separation using biomass waste-derived Bio-Ag nanoparticles.

Separation of oil and water has become a daunting task at a global scale due to the frequent presence of industrial oily wastewater. This study describes the synthesis of a Bio-Ag nanoparticle and its utilization in fabricating superhydrophobic (SH) films on textile fibers for separating oil-water mixture. The Bio-Ag nanoparticles were prepared from grape seed extract. The study examined various aspects of the synthesized SH textile fiber, including its morphology, wettability, surface composition, chemical stability, mechanical stability, oil absorption capacity, oil-water separation performance, and flux rate. The results indicate that the developed Bio-Ag-based SH textile filter has excellent SH properties, with a low water sliding angle of 1° and a high water contact angles of 159°. The SH textile filter exhibited good separation efficiency, oil absorption capacity, and flux rate toward silicone oil, toluene, and petroleum ether. The SH textile filter also demonstrated satisfactory chemical and mechanical stability. The developed Bio-Ag-based SH textile filter has the potential to be an efficient material for oil-water separation applications.