Synthesis of graphene oxide–SiO2 coated mesh film and its properties on oil–water separation and antibacterial activity

Abstract

Oil–water separation has recently become a worldwide challenge due to the frequent occurrence of oil spill accidents and increasing industrial oily wastewater. In this work, the multifunctional mesh films with underwater oleophobicity and certain bacteriostatic effects are prepared by layer-by-layer assembly of graphene oxide-silica coatings on stainless steel mesh. The mesh film exhibits excellent environmental stability under a series of harsh conditions. The new, facile and reusable separation system is proposed to achieve deep treatment of oily wastewater, and the oil collection rate can reach over 99%.