title: Robust superhydrophobic/superoleophilic sponge for effective continuous absorption and expulsion of oil pollutants from water.
abstract: With the growth of oil production and transportation, there is greater potential for accidental oil spills. Here we fabricated a robust superhydrophobic and superoleophilic carbon nanotube/poly(dimethylsiloxane)-coated polyurethane sponge for the continuous absorption and expulsion of oils and organic solvents from water surfaces. When applied in conjunction with a vacuum system, this sponge could separate great amounts of oils-up to 35000 times its own weight-from water in a one-step process and could also separate surfactant-free water-in-oil emulsions with high efficiency (oil purity: >99.97 wt %), making it a promising candidate material for use in oil-spill cleanups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, I-Shou University , Kaohsiung 840, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Sheng-Jhih
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry; D009821:Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D059392:Petroleum Pollution; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D009821:Oils; D014873:Water Pollutants