Fabrication of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic textiles for oil–water separation

•Hydrophobic SiO2 sol with trimethylsilyl groups was prepared using tetraethoxysilane and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyl disilazane.•PET textiles were coated with the as-prepared hydrophobic SiO2 sol.•Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic textiles were obtained for oil–water separation. Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic textiles were fabricated by a simple sol–gel coating using tetraethoxysilane and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyl disilazane as precursors. After coating, the fibers were decorated with Si(CH3)3 functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles, complimenting the microscale roughness inherent in the textile weave and lowering the surface energy. The textiles indicated superhydrophobic and superoleophilic property simultaneously. Utilizing these properties, a setup was designed using the textile as a screen mesh to filter oil through down to a collector and leave water drops rolling over, realizing continuous oil–water mixture separation.