An ultra-thin nickel electrodeposited stainless steel mesh with superhydrophobic property and high mechanical durability for oil-water separation

Oil pollution has a detrimental impact on our water environment. Therefore, developing a durable and high-flux material for separating oil-water mixture is highly desirable. In this study, we present an innovative approach to prepare superhydrophobic-superoleophilic nickel palmitate stainless steel meshes (SNP-SSM) using a one-step electrodeposition method. This method not only creates rough hierarchical micro/nanostructures on the SSM but also reduces the surface free energy of the SSM. The SNP-SSM demonstrates a water contact angle (CA) of 164.98 ± 2.3° and a roll-off angle (ROA) of 4.78 ± 1.3°, enabling effective, long-term separation of oil-water mixtures by gravity. The oil-water separation efficiency (n-hexadecane/water) reaches 98.3%. Furthermore, in various tests, including knife scratching, tape peeling, sandpaper abrasion, bending, heating, and immersion in various liquids, the SNP-SSM exhibits sufficient mechanical, chemical, and thermodynamic robustness, making it suitable for harsh conditions, the as-prepared coatings effectively inhibited the corrosion of the meshes. This study paves the way for advancing technology in challenging oil-water separation scenarios, encompassing mechanical friction, chemical processes, and high-temperature conditions.