Selective superwettability coated surface with proactive anti-crude-oil-fouling property

Abstract

Pollution related to crude oil is an imminent environmental and natural resource problem. Anti-crude-oil-fouling materials with selective superwettability show advantages in oil/water separation, anti-fouling, and liquid manipulation, thus attracting wide attention. Herein, a proactive anti-crude-oil-fouling coating exhibiting both superoleophobicity and superhydrophilicity, which are independent of the aqueous environment and substrates, is prepared via a simple spraying method. Based on the cross-linked bonding of inorganic binders and coupled with different sized inorganic and organic nanoparticles, it can withstand harsh mechanical wear and chemical attack in the operating environment. The short-chain fluorine-containing carbon chains enriching the air structure outside the rough micro–nanostructures act as inherent oleophobic units, reducing the contact area between the coating and crude-oil molecules on the surface in a dry environment while not hindering the hydrophilic units from rapidly attracting water molecules to realize flexible wettability selectivity, exhibiting a unique proactive anti-crude-oil-fouling property and selective superwettability. Thus, it displays great potential for applications in the protection of a crude-oil pipeline shell, efficient crude-oil transport, and large oilfield dewatering.