Synthesis of Nontoxic Pyrazolidine-Based Benzoxazine-Coated Cotton Fabric for Oil–Water Separation

In the present work, pyrazolidine bisphenol (PYBP)-based superhydrophobic/superoleophilic benzoxazine (PBz) matrices were synthesized and described in comparison with bisphenol F benzoxazines. The preliminary in vitro toxicity assay reveals the nontoxic nature of PYBP. Data obtained from thermal and surface studies indicate that the prepared PYBP-based PBzs have enhanced thermal stability than those of bisphenol F benzoxazines. Further, the prepared PYBP-based PBz-coated cotton fabric displayed superior water contact angle (WCA = 154.7°) and sliding contact angle (θ = 9°). Observations from SEM images suggest that the inherent superhydrophobic nature was due to the formation of rough surfaces. Furthermore, oil–water separation was successfully ascertained from the appropriate experimental conditions using the PYBP-coated fabric. The separation efficiency and flux are found to be greater than 90% after 10 cycles. Thus, the PYBP-based superhydrophobic/superoleophilic polybenzoxazines (PBzs) have been synthesized and characterized to assess their suitability for water-repellent and oil–water separation applications.