Integrated oil separation and water purification by a double-layer TiO2-based mesh

We report a simple and inexpensive method for fabricating double-layer TiO2-based mesh. The upper layer is a TiO2 coated mesh film with micro- and nano-structures, while the lower is the same TiO2 mesh film but modified with ODP (octadecyl phosphonic acid) to impart its superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties. Such a mesh can be successfully used for the separation of insoluble oil from water due to its special wettability, as well as the degradation of soluble pollutants in water under UV light because of the photocatalytic abilities of TiO2, making it a promising candidate for water purification.