Superhydrophobic surface on copper via a one-step solvent-free process and its application in oil spill collection

A one-step and solvent-free process was developed to fabricate a superhydrophobic surface on copper by high-temperature oxidation (300 degrees C) in an atmosphere of gasified 1-dodecanethiol (DT). The so-obtained superhydrophobic surface on a copper mesh was used to build a miniature oil containment boom (MOCB) that was used for oil spill collection. It was found that the MOCB was efficient with a collection rate of over 89% and durable with a negligible decrease in collection rate and deterioration in superhydrophobicity even after 25 cycles of kerosene collection.