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Dual-bionic superwetting gears with liquid directional steering for oil-water separation

Author

Listed:
  • Zhuoxing Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zidong Zhan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Tao Shen

    (Beihang University)

  • Ning Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chengqi Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Beihang University)

  • Cunlong Yu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chuxin Li

    (Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yifan Si

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Lei Jiang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhichao Dong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Developing an effective and sustainable method for separating and purifying oily wastewater is a significant challenge. Conventional separation membrane and sponge systems are limited in their long-term usage due to weak antifouling abilities and poor processing capacity for systems with multiple oils. In this study, we present a dual-bionic superwetting gears overflow system with liquid steering abilities, which enables the separation of oil-in-water emulsions into pure phases. This is achieved through the synergistic effect of surface superwettability and complementary topological structures. By applying the surface energy matching principle, water and oil in the mixture rapidly and continuously spread on preferential gear surfaces, forming distinct liquid films that repel each other. The topological structures of the gears facilitate the overflow and rapid transfer of the liquid films, resulting in a high separation flux with the assistance of rotational motion. Importantly, this separation model mitigates the decrease in separation flux caused by fouling and maintains a consistently high separation efficiency for multiple oils with varying densities and surface tensions.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhuoxing Liu & Zidong Zhan & Tao Shen & Ning Li & Chengqi Zhang & Cunlong Yu & Chuxin Li & Yifan Si & Lei Jiang & Zhichao Dong, 2023. "Dual-bionic superwetting gears with liquid directional steering for oil-water separation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-39851-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39851-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yu Zhang & Zhichao Dong & Chuxin Li & Huifeng Du & Nicholas X. Fang & Lei Wu & Yanlin Song, 2020. "Continuous 3D printing from one single droplet," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Tao Tao & Kunlun Xin, 2014. "Public health: A sustainable plan for China's drinking water," Nature, Nature, vol. 511(7511), pages 527-528, July.
    3. Yang Wang & Jiancheng Di & Li Wang & Xu Li & Ning Wang & Baixian Wang & Ye Tian & Lei Jiang & Jihong Yu, 2017. "Infused-liquid-switchable porous nanofibrous membranes for multiphase liquid separation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, December.
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