Hyper-durable, superhydrophobic/superoleophilic fabrics based on biopolymers and organic and inorganic resins for self-cleaning and efficient water/oil separation applications†

Abstract

The utilization of resins combined with nanoparticles represents the prevailing method for fabricating superhydrophobic fabrics. Nevertheless, a notable drawback in this approach has been the limited durability of these fabrics, constraining their practical applications. In our ground-breaking study, we introduce an innovative and reliable solution to address this durability issue. We demonstrate, for the first time, that biopolymer resins offer a significantly enhanced level of durability to superhydrophobic fabrics when compared to their synthetic counterparts, whether organic or inorganic. Our proposed method employs the dip-coating technique, enabling us to create fabrics capable of maintaining their anti-wetting properties even in the face of mechanical stress. The deposition of this coating on the fabric surface elevates the water contact angle to an impressive 157°, with a sliding angle measuring below 10°. In terms of oils, the fabric surface exhibits superoleophilic behavior, with a contact angle of 0°. Furthermore, our coating exhibits outstanding thermal stability, enduring temperatures of up to 250 °C, while also demonstrating UV resistance for up to 50 hours without any loss of superhydrophobicity. Mechanical stability was also assessed, and the coating proved resilient against abrasion until the appearance of tears on the fabric, without compromising its superhydrophobic properties. Our coated fabric has been effectively employed in separating oil/water mixtures, achieving an exceptional separation efficiency of 99%, a performance that remains consistent across multiple cycles. We envision that these superhydrophobic/superoleophilic fabrics, characterized by their cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, remarkable durability, and ease of industrial scale application, hold immense potential for applications in clothing manufacturing and water/oil separation.