Superhydrophobic and nanostructured CuFeCo powder alloy for the capture of microplastics

Abstract

A superhydrophobic CuFeCo powder alloy, obtained by combining high-energy ball milling (HEBM) and liquid phase deposition (LPD), was used to remove high-density polyethylene fibres from water. After 48 h of HEBM, CuFeCo solid solution powder with ferromagnetic properties was obtained. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed a crystallite size of 20 nm, confirming its nanostructure. The metallic CuFeCo powder surface was functionalised with dodecanoic acid to confer superhydrophobicity (water contact angle = 162 ± 1°) and superoleophilicity (oil contact angle ~ 0°). Taking advantage of its superwettable properties, superhydrophobic CuFeCo particles were used to capture microplastics (270 μm < size < 1240 μm), which is an innovative application of superhydrophobic materials. This study demonstrates an innovative way of using superhydrophobic materials in environmental applications such as the removal of solid pollutants like microplastics.