Fabrication of superwetting Cu@Cu_2O cubic film for oil/water emulsion separation and photocatalytic degradation

摘要

Facing the increasing oily wastewater problem and organic pollutants in the world, it is urgent to develop materials for efficient oil-water separation and water purification. Recently, various materials have been successfully synthesized for free oil/water separation. However, it is still a challenge for the separation of oil/water emulsion due to its small particle size. Herein, a superwetting and visible light catalytic Cu@Cu2O film was successfully prepared by one-step electrodeposition method. The as-prepared film showed underwater super-oleophobic and underoil superhydrophobic after being pre-wetted by water and oil, respectively. Combining the unique super wettability and small pore size, the as-prepared film could be used to separate various water-in-oil emulsions and oil-in-water emulsions only under gravity and showed high separation efficiency. Due to the visible light responsive of Cu2O, the as-prepared sample could be applied to degrade organic contaminants. The degradation efficiency could reach 81.86% after 240 minute visible light irradiation. This newly as-prepared film is expected to have great potential in oil-water emulsion separation and organic contamination degradation.