posted on 2020-03-23, 21:14authored byYoav Dan, Yanay Popowski, Marina Buzhor, Eti Menashe, Oren Rachmani, Elizabeth Amir
A technically
simple, one-step process for the preparation of hydrophobic
cellulose-based fabrics via covalent surface modification is presented.
A small aliphatic molecule was grafted onto the surface of various
types of fabrics under mild processing conditions (room temperature,
few seconds), leading to alteration of the surface properties. The
modified fabrics displayed not only hydrophobic but also superoleophilic
properties, meaning that these fabrics are ideal candidates for separation
of oil–water mixtures. Separation efficiencies above 93% were
achieved for the removal of common organic solvents and oils from
aqueous solutions. In addition, separation efficiencies were unaffected
by the exposure of the modified fabrics to elevated temperature and
acidic conditions. Furthermore, all types of fabrics displayed high
recyclability: oil–water separation efficiency did not deteriorate
even after 30 separation cycles. The simplicity of the surface modification
combined with the use of readily available and low-cost materials
are promising characteristics for future practical applications.