A Co3O4 nano-needle mesh for highly efficient, high-flux emulsion separation†
Abstract
A Co3O4 nano-needle steel mesh was prepared by a facile hydrothermal synthesis and subsequent calcination method. The mesh is superhydrophilic in air and superoleophobic low-adhesive underwater. More importantly, the mesh exhibits outstanding chemical stability even in strongly basic and high-concentration salt solutions, which accomplishes the separation of alkaline and saline oil-in-water emulsions with high efficiency (above 99%) and high flux (2000 L m−2 h−1).