title: UV-responsive nano-sponge for oil absorption and desorption.
abstract: Controlled surface wettability for oil has been intensively studied to remove industrial oil waste or oil spill pollution from seas or rivers. In particular, external stimuli-induced special wetting materials, such as photo-responsive TiO2, have attracted considerable attention for oil-water separation. In this study, a novel method is reported to fabricate a nano-sponge which is composed of hydrophobic hydrocarbon and hydrophilic TiO2 nanoparticles for oil absorption or desorption that are responsive to UV irradiation. The hydrocarbon in the nano-sponge could selectively absorb oil from water, whereas the absorbed oil is released into the water by TiO2 in response to UV irradiation. The nano-sponge functionalized porous polydimethylsiloxane released more than 98% of the absorbed crude oil with UV irradiation and air-bubbling. It could be continuously reused while maintaining a high absorption capacity and desorption efficiency without incurring secondary air or water pollution. This smart oil absorption/desorption methodology with excellent selectivity and recyclability with almost perfect removal of absorbed oil can be applied for oil-water separation, oil spill cleanup and reuse of spilled oil.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea [2] Institute of Multidisciplinary Convergence of Matter, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Do Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-744, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min Chan
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Institute of Multidisciplinary Convergence of Matter, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: So-Hye
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Institute of Multidisciplinary Convergence of Matter, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-744, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Institute of Multidisciplinary Convergence of Matter, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Heon Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Institute of Multidisciplinary Convergence of Matter, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Myoung-Woon
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059392:Petroleum Pollution; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium