Bioinspired like lotus leaf hierarchical micropapillae structure for efficient oil-water separation and antibacterial performance

Abstract

Industrial oily wastewater and oil spill accidents request efficient separation treatment for environmental conservation and safety of human being. Bioinspired by lotus leaf, antibacterial and superhydrophobic membrane separation material with hierarchical like lotus leaf micropapillae structure was prepared for this issue. Firstly, Cu(OH)₂ nanoneedles on copper foam surface were constructed via alkaline oxidation method, and then nanoneedles structure was transformed into microsphere structure like micropapillae of lotus leaf after silane steam modification. The prepared modified copper foam exhibited simultaneous superhydrophobic and superoleophilic property and could effectively separate various oil-water mixtures. More importantly, modified copper foam showed superior mechanical, chemical stability and durability. Besides, modified copper foam displayed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus from vitro antibacterial experiment results. Antibacterial and superhydrophobic oil-water separation material with favorable mechanical, chemical stability and durability will provide more inspiration for design and preparation bioinspired multifunction materials.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Cu(OH)₂ nanoneedles
• micropapillae structure
• superhydrophobic
• oil-water separation
• antibacterial activity

Acknowledgements

We are very thankful for financial support by National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grants 21706100 and U1507115), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grants BK20160500, BK20161362 and BK20160491), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant 2018T110452) and Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (Grant B2018203393).