Superhydrophobic 304 Stainless Steel Mesh for the Removal of High-Density Polyethylene Microplastics.

ABSTRACT: Microplastics are a global issue that affects the environment, economy, as well as human health. Herein, we present a superhydrophobic 304 stainless steel mesh obtained by chemical etching followed by a liquid-phase deposition of lauric acid that can be used for microplastic removal. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR-XPS), among other techniques, were used to identify the hierarchical structure and chemical composition of the surface. They revealed that iron laurate decreased the surface free energy. The 304 stainless steel mesh was superhydrophobic (169°) and superoleophilic (0°). Taking advantage of these wetting properties, we showed an innovative use of these superhydrophobic surfaces in the removal of micropla

SUBMITTER: Rius-Ayra O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9097532 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature