Dodecyl Mercaptan Functionalized Copper Mesh for Water Repellence and Oil-water Separation

Abstract Reckless discharge of industrial wastewater and domestic sewage as well frequent leakage crude oil have caused serious environmental problems posed severe threat to human survival. Various nature inspired superhy-drophobic surfaces been successfully applied in oily water remediation. However, further improvements are still urgently needed for practical application terms facile synthesis process long-term durability towards harsh environment. Herein, we propose a simple one-step dodecyl mercaptan functionalization method fabricate Super-hydrophobic-Superoleophilic Copper Mesh (SSCM). The prepared SSCM possesses excellent repellence affinity, enabling it separate various oil-water mixtures with high separation efficiency (e.g., > 99% hexadecane-water mixture). retains separating ability when hot strong corrosive aqueous solutions used simulate mixtures, indicating remarkable chemical the functionalized copper mesh. Additionally, can be maintained during 50 cycles separation, is even stable after storage air 120 days, demonstrating reusability stability SSCM. Furthermore, mesh also shows good mechanical robustness abrasion by sandpaper, 96% obtained 10 abrasion. reported could increasing mesh, thereby great candidate treating large-scale environments.