To mitigate the environmental impacts of oil spills, a novel hydrophilic-oleophobic mixed-coated filter is proposed for efficient oil-water separation and effective surface oil recovery. This study investigates the effect of varying sintering temperatures on TiO₂-carbon (Ti-C) coatings applied to a 304 stainless steel mesh, focusing on the balance between coating adherence and phase-dependent performance. Literature suggests that anatase TiO₂ enhances oil and water separation due to its higher photocatalytic activity, surface area, and porosity derived from its atomic structure. Higher sintering temperatures can induce a phase transition to rutile, which exhibits lower separation performance. Yet, sufficient heat is required to ensure proper coating adherence to the stainless-steel mesh. The study evaluates the trade-offs between sintering temperature, TiO₂ phase composition, and separation efficiency through contact angle and filtration tests. By optimizing sintering conditions, this work aims to enhance the durability and efficiency of hydrophilic-oleophobic filters for practical oil-water separation applications.
