Superoleophobic/Superoleophilic Janus Synergy Apparatus for Underwater Oil Capture and Collection

Abstract The treatment of oily wastewater has always been an important problem in environmental management because the oil in the water is seriously harmful to the ecological environment. Although great progress has been made in the development of oil‐bearing wastewater treatment technology, there are still some problems in the treatment technology of dispersed oil in water, such as complicated treatment processes, high energy consumption, low treatment efficiency, secondary pollution, and difficult maintenance. Here, inspired by biological Janus synergy, a Janus synergy apparatus has been developed consisting of superoleophobic steel mesh (OSM) and superoleophIlic polyurethane sponge (IPS). By combining the underwater “capture oil” characteristic of OSM with the ability to store large amounts of oil of IPS, the two materials are combined to achieve an absorption rate above 95% of underwater oil in situ treatment. Due to the fact that the underwater oil can be directly captured, collected, and separated excellently, the prepared OSM/IPS Janus apparatus demonstrates the one‐step treatment of underwater oil, which needs neither more equipment nor additional power, and it is reusable and not easy to secondary pollution. Therefore, the development of this apparatus provides an economical and effective method for the treatment of underwater dispersed oil.