Original Articles
Landry Biyoghe Bi Ndong, Frank
Abstract
In this study, a widely used TiO2 was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal solution and characterized by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Analysis results showed that the synthesized TiO2 was in anatase form and consisted of well-defined sheet-shaped structures having a rectangular outline. Moreover, the calcination temperature remarkably affected the crystalline phase of the product as a mixture of rutile and anatase phase was obtained with the product calninated at 1000°C. The synthesized TiO2 was further involved in a coated process using stainless mesh as a subtract. The contact angle measurement revealed a modification on the surface wettability of the mesh with the underwater oil contact angle larger than 150° and the oil/water separation efficiency over 90% even after thirty cycles of reuses. The substrat analysis indicated that the TiO2 made a separating layer thus, affected the wettability behavior of the mesh. The present study suggested the effectiveness of immobilizing synthesized TiO2 for the modification of surface wettability.