Aloe vera mucilage derived highly tolerant underwater superoleophobic coatings

Abstract

Aloe vera mucilage (AVM), which mainly consists of an immobilized aqueous phase, is strategically exploited for achieving an extremely oil repellent and durable coating. The nature-inspired coating that is derived from AVM and appropriately modified through Michael addition reaction is capable of sustaining various challenging chemical (pH 1, pH 12, surfactant water, sea water, and river water) and physical (150% tensile deformation, scratching and other abrasions) exposures—without compromising the embedded underwater superoleophobicity. Further, this material was successfully exploited for gravity-driven and eco-friendly separation of oil/water mixtures—in various severe practically relevant physical and chemical circumstances.