Self-healing superoleophobic and superhydrophilic fabrics for efficient oil/water separation

Abstract In this study, superoleophobic and superhydrophilic fabrics with self-healing property have been prepared by the use of chitosan (CS), sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), Capstone FS-60 (FS-60), and dopamine hydrochloride as coating materials. The coated fabrics show oil contact angle of 154° for soybean oil, and water droplets can be spread on the surface in 1 s. Notably, it is further demonstrated that the coating has self-healing property. After undergoing home laundering, Martindale abrasion, or acid/base etching, the fabrics lose their superoleophobic and superhydrophilic property, while they can restore the superoleophobic and superhydrophilic property by just being wetted with distilled water and then heated in an oven. Additionally, the coated fabrics prove effective in separating oil/water mixtures. These fabrics, endowed with superoleophobic and superhydrophilic property along with self-healing capability, present innovative features and applications across diverse fields.