Fabrication of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic copper oxide nanostructures without organic modifiers for oil–water separation
Abstract
Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic hierarchical urchin-like copper oxide powders were synthesized by a facile one-step method without the use of low-surface-energy modifiers. The selective wettability of the powders toward water and oil makes them suitable for oil adsorption from oil-in-water emulsions. In addition, the hierarchical CuO structures were grown in situ on a stainless-steel mesh, which was used for the separation of heavy oil–water mixtures. The synergistic combination of micro-/nanoscale roughness and a reduction in the polar component of surface free energy through hydroxylation of the copper oxide surface likely leads to a significant decrease in wettability and the development of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties, as evidenced by a static water contact angle of 161.1° ± 2° and an oil contact angle of 0°, measured on the CuO-coated mesh surface. The superhydrophobic copper oxide particles demonstrated a high oil adsorption selectivity greater than 19. The immiscible chloroform/water mixture was separated via a simple filtration method using a superhydrophobic/superoleophilic copper oxide–coated mesh filter, achieving a separation efficiency of approximately 98% and a chloroform permeation flux of about 7300 L m⁻² h⁻¹. In addition, copper oxide powder showed promising potential as a selective oil adsorbent for the treatment of oil-in-water emulsions and the cleanup of oil spills when used in the form of sorbent booms or pillows.
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BibTeX
@article{velayi2026fabrication,
title = {{Fabrication of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic copper oxide nanostructures without organic modifiers for oil–water separation}},
author = {Elmira Velayi},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-75307-4},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-75307-4},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Fabrication of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic copper oxide nanostructures without organic modifiers for oil–water separation
AU - Elmira Velayi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/11
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-75307-4
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-75307-4
AB - Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic hierarchical urchin-like copper oxide powders were synthesized by a facile one-step method without the use of low-surface-energy modifiers. The selective wettability of the powders toward water and oil makes them suitable for oil adsorption from oil-in-water emulsions. In addition, the hierarchical CuO structures were grown in situ on a stainless-steel mesh, which was used for the separation of heavy oil–water mixtures. The synergistic combination of micro-/nanoscale roughness and a reduction in the polar component of surface free energy through hydroxylation of the copper oxide surface likely leads to a significant decrease in wettability and the development of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties, as evidenced by a static water contact angle of 161.1° ± 2° and an oil contact angle of 0°, measured on the CuO-coated mesh surface. The superhydrophobic copper oxide particles demonstrated a high oil adsorption selectivity greater than 19. The immiscible chloroform/water mixture was separated via a simple filtration method using a superhydrophobic/superoleophilic copper oxide–coated mesh filter, achieving a separation efficiency of approximately 98% and a chloroform permeation flux of about 7300 L m⁻² h⁻¹. In addition, copper oxide powder showed promising potential as a selective oil adsorbent for the treatment of oil-in-water emulsions and the cleanup of oil spills when used in the form of sorbent booms or pillows.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -