Abstract: Superwetting surfaces require micro-/nanohierarchical structures but are mechanically weak. Moreover, such surfaces are easily polluted by amphiphiles. In this work, inorganic adhesives are presented as a building block for construction of superwetting surfaces and to promote robustness. Nanomaterials can be selected as fillers to endow the functions. We adopted a simple procedure to fabricate underwater superoleophobic surfaces by spraying a titanium dioxide suspension combined with aluminum phosphate binder on stainless steel meshes. The surfaces maintained their excellent performance in regard to oil repellency under water, oil/water separation, and self-cleaning properties after even 100 abrasion cycles with sandpaper. Robust superwetting surfaces favored by inorganic adhesives can be extended to other nanoparticles and substrates, which are potentially advantageous in practical applications. 

KeyWords Plus: SELF-CLEANING SURFACES; IN-WATER EMULSIONS; OIL; SEPARATION; COATINGS; DESIGN; SUPEROLEOPHOBICITY; CONTAMINATION; FILMS 

Published in ACS NANO, 11 (1):1113-1119; 10.1021/acsnano.6b08348 JAN 2017