Natural‐Light‐Initiated 3D Macro Zigzag Architecture of Graphene‐Reinforced Polystyrene for Gravity‐Driven Oil and Water Separation

Abstract

Superhydrophobic 3D robust materials are introduced for the separation of hexane and water. For the first time, novel 3D zigzag polystyrene on graphene‐incorporated polyurethane (3D zz‐PS/GR/PU) is prepared using exclusively natural sunlight without any chemical initiator. The zigzag polystyrene growth is accomplished by polymerizing the styrene vapors. The natural sunlight provides a compact 3D zz‐PS/GR/PU material with superoleophilic and hydrophobic channels that allow for the rapid passage of oil, whereas water is entirely prevented from passing. The 3D zz‐PS/GR/PU compact channels are transformed into the compressible material by treating them with toluene without affecting the hydrophobicity of the material. The 3D zz‐PS/GR/PU displays a high‐water contact angle of approximately 150°. The developed materials are characterized by FTIR, SEM, and BET. The graphene incorporation makes surface area of the 3D zz‐PS/GR/PU substantially large compared with PU. It is improved from 15 to 67 m 2 g −1 . The pore size of the adsorption and desorption in the 3D zz‐PS/GR/PU is also reduced from 354 and 352 Å to 34 and 33 Å. The 3D zz‐PS/GR/PU satisfies the requirement of high‐demanding superhydrophobic materials, like a low‐cost fabrication process, reusability, and tunability. This strategy can trigger large‐scale production with a controlled morphology.

Superhydrophobic Polypropylene Functionalized with Nanoparticles for Efficient Fast Static and Dynamic Separation of Spilled Oil from Water

“…The surfaces of various support materials such as foam/sponges, meshes, cotton, nonwoven fabrics, and woven fabrics are being exploited to develop superhydrophobic surfaces for effective oil and water separation. The range of material used to develop hydrophobic surfaces includes graphene, carbon nanofiber, nanodiamonds, metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, and polymers . Hydrophobic surfaces can be generated by using the hydrothermal method, the chemical vapor deposition method, layer by layer assembly, spraying, and dip and drop coating methods .…”

A flexible biomimetic superhydrophobic and superoleophilic 3D macroporous polymer-based robust network for the efficient separation of oil-contaminated water

“…Developing new methods to remove oil from the water will potentially replace the conventional technologies. [1][2][3][4] Several conventional methods have been applied for the separation of oil from water. 5 The conventional methods include the in situ burning of spilled oil, mechanical skimming, otation, and oil dispersion using a chemical dispersant.…”