Fabrication of hydrophilic cellulose graft copolymer/SiO2 coated mesh for efficient oil-water separation

A superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic cellulose graft copolymer/SiO2 coated metal mesh (CASi/M) was fabricated through a facile and cost-effective process. As-prepared CASi/M could separate different oil-water mixture with a separation efficiency higher than 99.4 % and a flux up to 26940 L·m−2·h−1 only driven by gravity. The reusability experiment showed that the separation efficiency still exceeded 99.2 % after 25 cycles, which displayed superior reusability. Furthermore, CASi/M displayed superior stability in corrosive liquids such as acidic, alkaline, and salty environments. This work provides new sights in the development of durable and low-cost functional materials for rapid and efficient oil/water separation. [Display omitted] •Superhydrophobic CASi/M was fabricated with a facile and low-cost approach.•CASi/M showed a permeate flux up to 26940 L·m−2·h−1 solely driven by gravity.•CASi/M possessed the highest separation efficiency of 99.4 %.•CASi/M exhibited excellent multi-cycle performance and chemical resistance.