Dual-functional superwetting CuCo2O4 coated stainless steel mesh for wastewater treatment: Highly efficient oil/water emulsion separation and photocatalytic degradation

Oily water and soluble contaminants from marine oil spills, industrial wastewater and domestic sewage has caused serious water pollution. Although advanced membranes with super-wettability have been used in oil/water separation, most of them lack the capacity to separate oil/water emulsions and remove water-soluble contaminants. Herein, a dual-functional CuCo2O4 nanoneedle array coated stainless steel mesh is successfully fabricated for water purification. The as-prepared mesh shows excellent superhydrophilicity-underwater superoleophobicity and superior anti-oil-fouling capability. The as-prepared mesh can efficiently separate oil/water emulsion and photodegrade soluble organic dyes under UV light irradiation. The as-prepared mesh exhibits the superior oil/water separation emulsion performance with separation efficiency > 99.5% and high flux (172 L m−2 h−1). In addition, the as-prepared mesh possesses excellent photodegradation performance toward organic dyes with a degradation efficiency of more than 96.95%. More importantly, the as-prepared mesh shows durability and stability. The as-prepared mesh has great potential for multi-functional water purification.