A free-standing superhydrophobic film for highly efficient removal of water from turbine oil

Abstract

A free-standing superhydrophobic film is prepared by sequentially dip-coating a commercially available filter paper with nano SiO₂ suspension, epoxy emulsion, and octyltrimethoxysilane solution. A surface with micro- or nano-roughness is formed because SiO₂ nanoparticles are uniformly and firmly adhered on the backbone of the filter paper by the cured epoxy resin. Furthermore, the surface energy is significantly reduced because of introducing octytrimethoxysilane. Such a surface structure makes the prepared film a superhydrophobic material. Due to its free-standing nature, this superhydrophobic film can be used to remove water from turbine oil by filtration. The efficiency of water removal is high (up to 94.1%), and the filtration process is driven solely by gravity without extra energy consumption. Because of the facile fabrication process and the high efficiency of water removal, this free-standing superhydrophobic film may find application in power industry.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

superhydrophobicity / nanoparticles / dip coating / epoxy emulsion / turbine oil

References

[1] Cheng Y Y, He G, Barras A, Coffinier Y, Lu S X, Xu W G, Szunerits S, Boukherroub R. One-step immersion for fabrication of superhydrophobic/superoleophilic carbon felts with fire resistance: Fast separation and removal of oil from water. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2018, 331: 372–382

[2] Su X, Li H, Lai X, Zhang L, Liao X, Wang J, Chen Z, He J, Zeng X. Dual-functional superhydrophobic textiles with asymmetric roll-down/pinned states for water droplet transportation and oil-water separation. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2018, 10(4): 4213–4221

[3] Olszowska K, Pang J B, Wrobel P S, Zhao L, Ta H Q, Liu Z F, Trzebicka B, Bachmatiuk A, Rummeli M H. Three-dimensional nanostructured graphene: Synthesis and energy, environmental and biomedical applications. Synthetic Metals, 2017, 234: 53–85

[4] Pang J, Mendes R G, Wrobel P S, Wlodarski M D, Ta H Q, Zhao L, Giebeler L, Trzebicka B, Gemming T, Fu L, Liu Z, Eckert J, Bachmatiuk A, Rümmeli M H. Self-terminating confinement approach for large-area uniform monolayer graphene directly over Si/SiO_x by chemical vapor deposition. ACS Nano, 2017, 11(2): 1946–1956

[5] Hao Q, Pang J B, Zhang Y, Wang J W, Ma L B, Schmidt O G. Boosting the photoluminescence of monolayer MoS₂ on high-density nanodimer arrays with sub-10 nm gap. Advanced Optical Materials, 2018, 6(2): 1700984

[6] Pang J B, Bachmatiuk A, Yin Y, Trzebicka B, Zhao L, Fu L, Mendes R G, Gemming T, Liu Z F, Rummeli M H. Applications of phosphorene and black phosphorus in energy conversion and storage devices. Advanced Energy Materials, 2018, 8(8): 1702093

[7] Meng X R, Wang C H, Zhou P, Xin X Q, Wang L. Transport and selectivity of indium through polymer inclusion membrane in hydrochloric acid medium. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 2017, 11(6): 9

[8] Guo G L, Liu L B, Zhang Q, Pan C G, Zou Q Q. Solution-processable, durable, scalable, fluorine-grafted graphene-based superhydrophobic coating for highly efficient oil/water separation under harsh environment. New Journal of Chemistry, 2018, 42(5): 3819–3827

[9] Zhu T R, Li Z M, Luo Y B, Yu P. Pervaporation separation of dimethyl carbonate/methanol azeotrope through cross-linked PVA-poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/PAN composite membranes. Desalination and Water Treatment, 2013, 51(28‒30): 5485–5493

[10] Yin L, Zhang H F, Shi S Y, Lu Y, Wang Y, Liu X W. Numerical investigation of relationship between water contact angle and drag reduction ratio of superhydrophobic surfaces. Frontiers in Physics, 2016, 11(3): 114701

[11] Xu Y H, Cui S Y. A novel fluid catalytic cracking process for maximizing iso-paraffins: From fundamentals to commercialization. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2018, 12(1): 9–23

[12] Yi N, Bao S H, Zhou H J, Xin Y C, Huang A B, Ma Y N, Li R, Jin P. Preparation of microstructure-controllable superhydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene porous thin film by vacuum thermal-evaporation. Frontiers of Materials Science, 2016, 10(3): 320–327

[13] Jiang X B, Tuo L H, Lu D P, Hou B H, Chen W, He G H. Progress in membrane distillation crystallization: Process models, crystallization control and innovative applications. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2017, 11(4): 647–662

[14] Li D, Gou X, Wu D, Guo Z. A robust and stretchable superhydrophobic PDMS/PVDF@KNFs membrane for oil/water separation and flame retardancy. Nanoscale, 2018, 10(14): 6695–6703

[15] Bano S, Zulfiqar U, Zaheer U, Awais M, Ahmad I, Subhani T. Durable and recyclable superhydrophobic fabric and mesh for oil-water separation. Advanced Engineering Materials, 2018, 20(1): 1700460

[16] Singh J, Rathi A, Rawat M, Gupta M. Graphene: From synthesis to engineering to biosensor applications. Frontiers of Materials Science, 2018, 12(1): 1–20

[17] Liang S, Gao P, Gao X Q, Xiao K, Huang X. Improved blending strategy for membrane modification by virtue of surface segregation using surface-tailored amphiphilic nanoparticles. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 2016, 10(6): 9

[18] Kong W B, Miao Q, Qin P Y, Baeyens J, Tan T W. Environmental and economic assessment of vegetable oil production using membrane separation and vapor recompression. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2017, 11(2): 166–176

[19] Suresh K, Pugazhenthi G, Uppaluri R. Preparation and characterization of hydrothermally engineered TiO₂-fly ash composite membrane. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2017, 11(2): 266–279

[20] Han S W, Kim K D, Seo H O, Kim I H, Jeon C S, An J E, Kim J H, Uhm S, Kim Y D. Oil-water separation using superhydrophobic PET membranes fabricated via simple dip-coating of PDMS-SiO₂ nanoparticles. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 2017, 302(11): 1700218

[21] Wang K, Pang J, Li L, Zhou S, Li Y, Zhang T. Hydrophilic carbon nanotubes/reduced graphene oxide composite films activated with flash light irradiation. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2018, 12(3): 376–382

[22] Yang H, Zhang J L, Yi B L. Clean energy technology: Materials, processes and devices for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Frontiers in Energy, 2017, 11(3): 233–235

[23] Li B J, He G H, Jiang X B, Dai Y, Ruan X H. Pressure swing adsorption/membrane hybrid processes for hydrogen purification with a high recovery. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2016, 10(2): 255–264

[24] Loganathan M, Velmurugan A, Page T, Gunasekaran E J, Tamilarasan P. Combustion analysis of a hydrogen-diesel fuel operated DI diesel engine with exhaust gas recirculation. Frontiers in Energy, 2017, 11(4): 568–574

[25] Lian Z, Xu J, Wang Z, Yu Z, Weng Z, Yu H. Nanosecond laser-induced underwater superoleophobic and underoil superhydrophobic mesh for oil/water separation. Langmuir, 2018, 34(9): 2981–2988

[26] Xiao N, Zhou Y, Ling Z, Qiu J. Synthesis of a carbon nanofiber/carbon foam composite from coal liquefaction residue for the separation of oil and water. Carbon, 2013, 59: 530–536

[27] Tang H, Hao L, Chen J, Wang F, Zhang H, Guo Y. Surface modification to fabricate superhydrophobic and superoleophilic alumina membranes for oil/water separation. Energy & Fuels, 2018, 32(3): 3627–3636

[28] Siddiqui A R, Maurya R, Balani K. Superhydrophobic self-floating carbon nanofiber coating for efficient gravity-directed oil/water separation. Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2017, 5(6): 2936–2946

[29] Jiang B, Zhang H J, Zhang L H, Sun Y L, Xu L D, Sun Z N, Gu W H, Chen Z X, Yang H W. Novel one-step, in situ thermal polymerization fabrication of robust superhydrophobic mesh for efficient oil/water separation. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2017, 56(41): 11817–11826

[30] Liu M, Liu S H, Xu Z L, Wei Y M, Yang H. Formation of microporous polymeric membranes via thermally induced phase separation: A review. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2016, 10(1): 57–75

[31] Li T, Yu P, Luo Y B. Deoxygenation performance of polydimethylsiloxane mixed-matrix membranes for dissolved oxygen removal from water. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2015, 132(4): 41350

[32] Li H G, Lin Y W, Yu P, Luo Y B, Hou L W. FTIR study of fatty acid fouling of reverse osmosis membranes: Effects of pH, ionic strength, calcium, magnesium and temperature. Separation and Purification Technology, 2011, 77(1): 171–178

[33] Li H, Lin Y, Luo Y, Yu P, Hou L. Relating organic fouling of reverse osmosis membranes to adsorption during the reclamation of secondary effluents containing methylene blue and rhodamine B. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011, 192(2): 490–499

[34] Wang L, Lin Y, Yang L, Yu P, Xie Z, Luo Y. Candida tropicalis: Characterization of a strain capable of degrading high concentrations of phenol. Biotechnology Letters, 2011, 33(5): 943–946

[35] Li T, Yu P, Luo Y B. Preparation and properties of hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride)SiO₂ mixed matrix membranes for dissolved oxygen removal from water. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2014, 131(13): 40430

[36] Zhu T R, Lin Y W, Luo Y B, Hu X, Lin W H, Yu P, Huang C. Preparation and characterization of TiO₂-regenerated cellulose inorganic-polymer hybrid membranes for dehydration of caprolactam. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2012, 87(1): 901–909

[37] Huang Y B, Jin H Y, Yu P, Luo Y B. Polyamide thin-film composite membrane based on nano-silica modified polysulfone microporous support layer for forward osmosis. Desalination and Water Treatment, 2016, 57(43): 20177–20187

[38] Zhou L W, Yu P, He Y H, Xia H H, Guo X L, Luo Y B. A facile dip-coating approach to stable superhydrophobic SiO₂/epoxy resin membrane preparation for micro-water separation in transformer oil liquids. RSC Advances, 2015, 5(113): 92947–92953

[39] Zhou H R, Liu X J, Guo C, Yang Y F. Preparation of waterborne epoxy resin emulsion. Advanced Materials Research, 2012, 610-613: 494–497

[40] Jin F L, Li X, Park S J. Synthesis and application of epoxy resins: A review. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2015, 29: 1–11

[41] Chruściel J J, Lesniak E. Modification of epoxy resins with functional silanes, polysiloxanes, silsesquioxanes, silica and silicates. Progress in Polymer Science, 2015, 41: 67–121

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by Yunnan power grid Co., Ltd.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2018 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature