Fabrication of a superhydrophobic and oleophilic filter for effective separation of oil-water mixtures | |
| Author | Natchaya Kaewma |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ISE-24-13 |
| Subject(s) | Hydrophobic surfaces Surface chemistry |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Bio-Nano Material Science and Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This study investigates the development and performance of a superhydrophobic stainless steel mesh modified with a polydimethylsiloxane-silica (PDMS-SiO2) nanocomposite coating. The coated mesh exhibited exceptional water repellency, with water contact angles exceeding 150° compared to uncoated meshes and pure PDMS coatings. Moreover, the mesh coated with PDMS-SiO2 has a sliding angle value as low as 7°, showing excellent self-cleaning properties. Durability tests revealed the superior mechanical resilience of the PDMS-SiO2 coating compared to other mesh types. Chemical stability analysis demonstrated minimal influence of pH on their hydrophobicity, indicating consistent performance under various environmental conditions. The self-cleaning test highlighted the remarkable ability of PDMS-SiO2 mesh to remove various contaminants due to their superhydrophobic and low surface energy properties. Conversely, uncoated, and pure PDMS meshes exhibited limited self-cleaning capabilities. Finally, the efficiency test explored the effectiveness of these meshes in separating water from different oil types. The results suggest that both coating volume and the specific oil type influence separation performance, indicating the potential for optimization based on the targeted oil. Overall, this research demonstrates the promising potential of PDMS-SiO2 coated stainless steel mesh for various applications requiring durability, self-cleaning functionality, and efficient oil water separation. |
| Year | 2024 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Industrial Systems Engineering (DISE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Bio-Nano Materials Science and Engineering (BNMSE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Bora, Tanujjal |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ricco, Raffaele;Trau, Dieter Wilhelm |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | His Majesty the King’s Scholarships (Thailand) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024 |