Synthesis of Hierarchical Superhydrophilic/Superhydrophobic Nanostructured Surfaces for Oil/Water Separation

Surface wetting, the phenomenon where a liquid spreads or adheres to a solid surface, plays a crucial role in both natural and technological fields. This study focuses on elucidating the relationship between surface properties and wetting behavior, emphasizing the significance of hierarchical structures. A 3D hierarchical structure is created by controlling shape and size through electroplating and chemical reactions, adjusted by current intensity, ammonium persulfate, and ammonium hydroxide concentrations. This modification is achieved by modifying the surface's chemical properties. This control directly impacted the surface wetting properties, providing a means to regulate wetting behavior by altering surface structure. Through control of surface chemistry, a superhydrophilic surface is able to successfully create with a contact angle of 0° and a superhydrophobic surface with a contact angle of 171.3. This research envisions the potential of special wetting surfaces in various industries. Using electrochemical deposition and liquid immersion, superhydrophilic and superoleophobic surfaces are created with remarkable self‐cleaning, breathability, and over 96% efficiency in oil/water separation. These surfaces showcase excellent mechanical and chemical durability, presenting a highly promising material for a variety of industrial applications.