Machine learning

Materials science

Composite material

Rational design

Wetting

Nanotechnology

Nanoscopic scale

Sessile drop technique

Interface (matter)

Human–computer interaction

Computer science

Separation (statistics)

Environmental science

Interface design

Nanoscale Horizons

Oil–water separation is critical for the water treatment of oily wastewater or oil-spill accidents. In this review, we present the state-of-the-art developments in the rational design of materials at the nanoscale with special wettability for separation of immiscible/emulsified oil–water mixtures.

Rational design of materials interface at nanoscale towards intelligent oil–water separation