Superhydrophobic stearic acid‐modified silver‐coated copper mesh for high‐efficiency oil–water separation

Oil extraction and industrial processes generate large amounts of oil–water mixtures, which pollute the environment and negatively impact human health. Superhydrophobic materials represent an effective solution for removing oil from water. This work presents a comprehensive evaluation of the stearic acid‐modified silver‐coated copper mesh SA/(Ag/Cu‐mesh), including the study of separation rate and the assessment of mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability under harsh conditions. A superhydrophobic mesh was successfully fabricated by depositing micro/nano silver particles on the surface of a copper mesh, followed by modification with stearic acid. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed distinct silver‐induced micro/nano structures with additional micro‐flower structures arising from stearic acid deposition. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the presence of crystalline phases of Cu and Ag demonstrating successful silver coating. Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) spectra confirmed the expected elements at each stage. Wettability tests showed that the SA/(Ag/Cu‐mesh) had a contact angle of 162° and a sliding angle of 4.5°, indicating excellent superhydrophobicity. The SA/(Ag/Cu‐mesh) achieved over 94% separation efficiency across various oils, with the separation rate gradually decreasing as oil viscosity increased. Furthermore, the fabricated mesh demonstrated excellent mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability, maintaining superhydrophobicity under harsh environments. These findings highlight the potential of using SA/(Ag/Cu‐mesh) as a durable and effective solution for oil–water separation.