Study demonstrates non-toxic oil-water separation and anti-fouling benefits of polymer-coated nanoporous surfaces.
The Nepenthes pitcher plant has inspired surfaces employing a liquid barrier that shields the surface from contaminants. However, such liquid-infused oil-repellent surfaces employ toxic fluorocarbons or unstable polar liquids. Here, we develop a bio-friendly oil-repellent surface using a food-grade bio-polymer coating on a nanoporous surface. By mimicking the pitcher plant’s nectar lining, the food-grade polymer absorbs water enhancing its stability against drainage and evaporation. The water-based lubricant is non-toxic, compatible with humid environments and replenishes simply by exposure to nebulized water droplets. Our surfaces demonstrate lubrication-induced oil and solid repellence and have substantial transformative potential in applications like oil-water separation, anti-fouling and food packaging.
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Jenkins et al. (2025) studied this question.
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