Polyacrylamide-Modified Polyester Fabric with Easy-Cleaning for Efficient Oil/Water Separation

With frequent oil spills occurring worldwide, oil/water separation technologies using materials with special surface wettability have attracted attention. In this study, a polyacrylamide hydrogel was synthesized and crosslinked onto polyester fabric via UV-initiated polymerization. The modified fabric showed superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity, which allowed water passage and inhibited oil permeation. Different oils (including corn, diesel, and pump oils) could be easily separated from water with high efficiency. By rinsing with water, the fabric could be easily cleaned and recycled, while maintaining good separation performance over ten uses. A textile-based material for oil/water separation with high flux, easy-cleaning ability, and long-term efficiency was developed.