Dual-Scale Roughness and Low Surface Energy Synergy: MgAl-LDH/Fluorosilane Modified Carbon Cloth for Efficient Oil-Water Separation

Traditional oil-water separation technologies are often ineffective for various types of highly stable oil-water emulsions. In this study, magnesium aluminum layered double hydroxide (MgAl-LDH) and fluorosilane (CF₃-Si-O-) were introduced into carbon fiber cloth (CC) via a combination of the hydrothermal method and the impregnation method. By leveraging the synergistic effect of micro-nano structures and functional groups, superhydrophobic and superoleophilic carbon-based composites (denoted as CMAF) with excellent oil-water separation performance were successfully fabricated. The resulting CMAF exhibits a water contact angle (WCA) of 158°, achieves a separation efficiency of 99% for water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, and delivers a treatment flux of 386.86   L·m⁻²·h⁻¹. In addition, CMAF demonstrates good cyclic stability and environmental adaptability: it maintains a separation efficiency of over 99% after 10 cycles, and retains stable hydrophobicity across a wide pH range. This material offers a new solution for efficient oil-water separation and holds broad application prospects.