A simple one-step strategy for the preparation of superhydrophobic charcoal with water contact angle of 155◦ and sliding angle of about 3◦ is presented. The procedure includes the chemical vapor deposition of smoke from silicone oil combustion onto the charcoal. The prepared sample was characterized with FE-SEM, microtopography, contact angle measurement, FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis. Deposited network of spherical silica nanoparticles coated with silicone oil fragments onto the charcoal provides a surface with high porosity (nanoscale) and low surface energy which are essential for superhydrophobicity. Thanks to the high porosity, low density and superhydrophobic/superoleophilic character of the prepared charcoal it shows excellent performance in separating various oils and organic solvents from water. Oil-water separation with various methods and using superhydrophobic charcoal was studied.
