SUPER HYDROPHILIC/SUPER OLEOPHOBIC COTTON FABRIC FOR OIL-WATER SEPARATION: AN ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACH

Abstract

Oil-water separation is becoming increasingly necessary in both industrial and environmental bodies, as it has a significant impact on marine and human life. However, finding eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions for separating oil and water remains a challenge. To address these concerns and promote environmental health while conserving water resources, we have a cost-effective and sustainable solution that can separate oil, and recovered oil can be used in other resources, which can be used as a fuel/energy and separated water can be used in irrigation, wastewater treatment, and drinking water plants. Due to these demands, there is an urgency to adopt sustainable solutions to solve the problem of oil-water mixture. 100% cotton plain woven fabric was functionalized with ZnO nanoparticles and malic acid (MA) inspired by fish shells, demonstrating the hydrophilic properties on the fabric surface. Since malic acid contains ester group molecules, it cross-links with cotton fabric (CF) and enhances water absorption capacity. The reason behind hydrophilicity is the increasing polar group. The preparation of multi-role underwater superoleophobic cotton cloth via a simple dip coating method. Here, we successfully immobilized nanoparticles of ZnO onto cotton fabric utilizing sulfuric acid (H2SO4) as a mediating agent and coating with the help of the vacuum filter method so that nanoparticles tightly bound to the cotton fabric surface at the given required condition. subsequently anchoring withmalic acid via the dip coating method. My research has led to the creation of a novel screening charge mechanism at the fabric-oil interface, enabling efficient separation of oil-water mixtures. It is generated with the help of Caustic soda (NaOH) and some amount of anionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). MA-ZnO-CF shows higher separation efficiency (>99%) and a higher underwater oil contact angle of 173˚± 1. It shows multiple properties such as self-cleaning, anti-stain, anti-oil fouling, higher separation efficiency, higher water absorption capacity, and higher water flux. The modified underwater superoleophobic cotton fabric has a high separation efficiency against a variety of oils, including hexane, toluene, and diesel engine oil.