A Green and Scalable Approach to Bio-Cobalt-Based Superhydrophobic Membrane for Oil/Water Separation

Abstract

This paper presents a pioneering study on the development and characterization of a superhydrophobic textile fabric (SF) with a bio-cobalt-based superhydrophobic coating for efficient oil–water separation. The synthesis process involves the utilization of chopped ginger as a biomass waste material for the eco-friendly production of bio-cobalt nanoparticles (bio-Co NPs) without the need for toxic chemicals. Myristic acid, an inexpensive and environmentally friendly substance, is used as low surface energy material. The morphology, chemical composition, and size of the synthesized bio-Co NPs, and various properties of the resulting SF are comprehensively investigated. The bio-Co NPs exhibit a nanoscale structure, with a size of 32 nm, as confirmed by SEM micrographs. FTIR analysis reveals key functional groups, and BET analysis indicates a high surface area and significant pore volume. The SF demonstrates outstanding wettability, absorption capacity for different oils (corn oil, xylene, and petroleum ether), and mechanical stability till an abrasion length of 500 mm. Furthermore, the SF maintains superhydrophobicity in a wide pH range (1–13) and exhibits superior flux rates towards petroleum ether, xylene, and corn oil. The reported results underscore the effectiveness and potential applications of the developed superhydrophobic coating for sustainable and efficient oil–water separation on textile fabrics.