ie6b00234_si_005.avi (1.99 MB)
Continuous Oil–Water Separation Using Polydimethylsiloxane-Functionalized Melamine Sponge
media
posted on 2016-03-14, 00:00 authored by Xuemei Chen, Justin A. Weibel, Suresh V. GarimellaThe development of absorbent materials
with high selectivity for
oils and organic solvents is of great ecological importance for removing
pollutants from contaminated water sources. We have developed a facile
solution-immersion process for creating polydimethylsiloxane
(PDMS)-functionalized sponges for oil–water separation. Sponge
materials with densities ranging from 8 to 26 mg/cm3 were
investigated as candidate skeletons. After functionalization, the
lowest-density melamine sponge exhibits superior superhydrophobic
and superoleophilic properties, absorption capacity, oil–water
selectivity, and absorption recyclability. Via suction through such
a functionalized sponge, we have experimentally demonstrated that
various kinds of oils can be continuously separated from immiscible
liquid mixtures without any water uptake. The widely available raw
materials (melamine sponge and PDMS solution) and simple synthesis
steps yield a cost-effective and scalable process for fabrication
of absorbent materials that can be readily adopted for the cleanup
of oil spills and industrial chemical leakage of low-surface-tension
solvents that are immiscible with water.