Scientists in China have used zeolite-coated mesh films for gravity-driven oil-water separation.
The superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity of the zeolite’s surface allow the highly efficient separation of various oils.
Unlike other oil-water separation membranes based on superhydrophilic and superoleophobic organic layers, the zeolite inorganic films are corrosion-resistant, which makes them ideal candidates for a range of applications such as an oil retention barrier in industrial outlet sewer pipes, oil fences for oil spill accidents and separation of domestic waste oil.
Read the ‘HOT’ Chemical Science article:
Zeolite-coated mesh film for efficient oil-water separation
Qiang Wen , Jiancheng Di , Lei Jiang , Jihong Yu and Ruren Xu
Chem. Sci., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2SC21772D
