A Review of Superwetting Surface Preparation and Its Application in Oil–Water Separation

Frequent oil leakage incidents have caused serious damage to the eco-environment, making oil–water separation technology become a research hotspot. Oil–water separation methods based on superwetting surfaces have attracted widespread attention due to their advantages of low cost, high efficiency, and reusability. This paper reviews the research progress in oil–water separation using superwetting surfaces. First, the basic theories of superwetting surfaces are introduced, and the principles of oil–water separation are elucidated. Subsequently, the preparation methods and applications of various oil–water separation materials are discussed in detail. Finally, the current research trends of oil–water separation based on superwetting surfaces are summarized, the challenges faced in practical applications are analyzed, and future development directions are proposed, aiming to provide a reference for further advancing research in this area.