Immobilisation of synthesised TiO2 nanosheets onto the surface of the mesh and its modification effect on the wettability behaviour

ABSTRACT

In this study, a widely used TiO₂ was synthesised by a simple hydrothermal solution and was characterised by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Analytical results showed that the synthesised TiO₂ was in anatase form and consisted of well-defined sheet-shaped structures having a rectangular outline. Moreover, the calcination temperature remarkably affected the crystalline phase of the product as a mixture of rutile and anatase phase was obtained with the product calninated at 1000°C. The synthesised TiO₂ was further involved in a coated process using stainless mesh as a subtract. The contact angle measurement revealed a modification on the surface wettability of the mesh with the underwater oil contact angle larger than 150 ° and the oil/water separation efficiency over 90% even after thirty cycles of reuses. The substrate analysis indicated that the TiO₂ made a separating layer thus, affected the wettability behaviour of the mesh. Moreover, the TiO₂ coated mesh maintained excellent underwater superoleophobicity behaviour after immersed in corrosive solutions for 5 days. The present study suggested the effectiveness of immobilising synthesised TiO₂ for the modification of surface wettability.

KEYWORDS:

• TiO₂ nano-sheets
• membrane coating technology
• surface wettability
• oil/water separation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Innovation Platform for the Development and Construction of Special Project of Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research of Qinghai Province [No. 2017-ZJ-Y11]; Qinghai Provincial Science Foundation [2017-SF-A8], Yulin Municipal Science and Technology Bureau Science Foundation and China post-doctorate program at Chang’ An University.