Facile and simple fabrication of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic MS/PDA/DT sponge for efficient oil/water separation

ABSTRACT

To overcome the problems of frequent leakage accidents during oil exploitation, a superhydrophobic and superoleophilic porous MS/PDA/DT sponge was successfully prepared via mild solvent evaporation method, and a polydopamine assisted surface coating of 1-dodecanethiol (DT) on a melamine sponge (MS) substrate. Surface structure and performance of the MS/PDA/DT sponge were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and Video Optical Contact Angle (CA) metre. The results showed that the as-prepared MS/PDA/DT sponge has a high-water contact angle (WCA) of 147.2°, which is probably attributed to both the rough surface derived from in situ growth and the low surface energy due to grafting of hydrophobic 1-dodecanethiol. The durability of the as-constructed MS/PDA/DT sponge was studied by repeated abrasion tests. After 50 abrasion cycles, the superhydrophobicity of the MS/PDA/DT sponge good mechanical durability. The MS/PDA/DT sponge can effectively absorb oil with an absorption capacity of up to 24 times its weight. The superhydrophobic and superoleophilic MS/PDA/DT sponge has the potential as a promising adsorbent for oil/water separation.

Highlights

• The MS/PDA/DT sponge was prepared via the mild solvent evaporation method.

• The contact angle of the MS/PDA/DT sponge was 147.2^o.

• The adsorption capacity of the MS/PDA/DT sponge was 24 times their weight.

• The cost-efficient, environmentally friendly porous materials show high oil/water separation efficiency.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Oil/water separation
• superhydrophobic and superoleophilic
• melamine sponge
• polydopamine
• solvent evaporation method

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data included in this study are available upon request by contact with the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province: [Grant Number 2021JM-509, 2021JQ-798]; the Youth Innovation Team of Shaanxi Universities: [Grant Number 51]; Science & Technology Project Foundation of Xi’an: [Grant Number 2019KJWL01]; the National Science Foundation of China: [Grant Number 21303135]; Research Team of Xi’an University: [Grant Number XAWLKYTD018].