biostudies-literatureLuo ZFudan UniversityNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNatural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province29570-29577https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9085378biostudies-literatureUnknown8(52)Efficient and low-cost oil/water separation remains a great challenge for industries. Natural cellulose-based filter paper, because of its abundance, low cost, biodegradability and excellent chemical stability, has been developed as an oil/water separator in recent years. In the present study, a superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic filter paper is successfully prepared by an aldol condensation reaction to crosslink glucose molecules with filter paper. The prepared filter paper is characterized by IR-spectroscopy, SEM spectroscopy and wettability measurements, and it has high underwater oil contact angles of over 162° for hexane, toluene and petroleum ether. It is shown that the modified filter paper has high water recovery from various oil/water mixtures, not only in a gentle environment but also in acidic, alkaline, and salty environments and at different temperatures. Moreover, the glucose modified filter paper shows excellent oil/water emulsion separation efficiency (>99%) and good recycling performance. The preparation is economic and could be easily scaled up, suggesting its great potential for large-scale industrial applications.RSC advancesA glucose modified filter paper for effective oil/water separation.PMC9085378BK20130249K2018-0621304012Li YLuo ZWang BDuan CWang YfalseA glucose modified filter paper for effective oil/water separation.Efficient and low-cost oil/water separation remains a great challenge for industries. Natural cellulose-based filter paper, because of its abundance, low cost, biodegradability and excellent chemical stability, has been developed as an oil/water separator in recent years. In the present study, a superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic filter paper is successfully prepared by an aldol condensation reaction to crosslink glucose molecules with filter paper. The prepared filter paper is characterized by IR-spectroscopy, SEM spectroscopy and wettability measurements, and it has high underwater oil contact angles of over 162° for hexane, toluene and petroleum ether. It is shown that the modified filter paper has high water recovery from various oil/water mixtures, not only in a gentle environment but also in acidic, alkaline, and salty environments and at different temperatures. Moreover, the glucose modified filter paper shows excellent oil/water emulsion separation efficiency (>99%) and good recycling performance. The preparation is economic and could be easily scaled up, suggesting its great potential for large-scale industrial applications.2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Aug2025-04-19T21:44:12.731Z2025-04-19T21:44:12.731ZS-EPMC90853783554731510.1039/c8ra04328k