Efficient removal of oil from oil contaminated water by superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic nano/micro structured TiO2 nanofibers coated mesh

In this report, we investigated the TiO2 nanofibers coated stainless steel mesh as a novel underwater superoleophobic membrane for the effective separation of contaminated oil-water mixtures. The membrane was fabricated by spray deposition of hydrothermally synthesized TiO2 nanofibers on stainless steel mesh. The fabricated membrane exhibits superhydrophilicity and supereleophobicity properties in air and underwater respectively allowing the separation of oil-water efficiently. Randomly deposited TiO2 nanofibers on mesh exhibit rough surface property and hence superhydrophilic nature. Water oil separation efficiencies of ∼90 and ∼99% were achieved with this filter for less viscous and highly viscous oil respectively. Additionally, the TiO2 nanofibers coated mesh can degrade immiscible organic molecules due to photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanofibers under UV light. As a result of self-cleaning property of TiO2 nanofibers coated mesh, the durability of the filter membrane is enhanced. The TiO2 nanofibers coated stainless steel mesh as a novel underwater superoleophobic membrane for the effective separation of contaminated oil-water mixtures is reported. [Display omitted] •Highly rough TiO2 nanofibers on stainless steel filter was fabricated.•The membrane is Superhydrophilic (underwater superoleophobic).•The membrane can separate range of oil-water mixtures with the separation efficiency of ∼98–99%.•The modified mesh can degrade immiscible organic molecules due to the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanofibers.