Solar-assisted isotropically thermoconductive sponge for highly viscous crude oil spill remediation

Abstract

Efficiently cleaning up high-viscosity crude oil spills is still a serious global problem. In this paper, a composite filler PPy-polydopamine/BN (PPB) with high photothermal effect and high thermal conductivity was first prepared. Then the polyurethane sponge is decorated with polydimethylsiloxane and PPB to obtain a solar-assisted isotropically thermoconductive adsorbent (PPB@PU), which exhibits remarkable stability and durable mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the PPB@PU sponge has good thermal conductivity, and its surface temperature rises to 91 C in just 1 min under irradiation (1 sun). Therefore, the PPB@PU sponge can quickly heat and adsorb the crude oil contacted by the surface, significantly speed up the crude oil recovery process, and the adsorption capacity is as high as about 45 g/g. Finally, the oil adsorption method of the three-dimensional adsorbent is demonstrated, which provides a new idea for the subsequent development of advanced oil spill adsorbent.

Liquid-like nanofluid mediated modification of solar-assisted sponges for highly efficient cleanup and recycling of viscous crude oil spills

“…Meanwhile, the PSiNFs@PU sponge can be used for long-distance pipeline transportation of crude oil due to its high recovery of crude oil and ame retardant properties. 26 More importantly, compared to other materials that only use physical means for viscosity reduction, the PSiNFs@PU sponge has a higher absorption speed and recovery percentage for crude oil [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] (Fig. 6h).…”

Thermally Conductive and Superhydrophobic Polyurethane Sponge for Solar-Assisted Separation of High-Viscosity Crude Oil from Water

“…The composition of photothermal materials with porous polymers has recently gained much attention as new and high-performance absorbents for solar-driven absorption of the highly viscous oils from seawater. The Fe 3 O 4 /polydimethyl siloxane@melamine-formaldehyde sponge (Fe 3 O 4 /PDMS@MF), PANI/PDMS/melamine sponge (MS), and PPy-PDA/BN/polyurethane (PU) are examples of the recent porous polymer/photothermal composites for the oil/water separation process. The reasons for using porous polymers such as PU and MS in oil/water separation are their flexibility, low density, low cost, high specific area, and reusability …”

Mussel-Inspired and In Situ Polymerization-Modified Commercial Sponge for Efficient Crude Oil and Organic Solvent Adsorption

“…For example, Javadian et al reported a magnetic superhydrophobic PU sponge by connecting graphene oxide with oleic acid and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles via the dip coating method in 2021, 5 and the adsorption capacity ranged from 80 to 150 g g −1 . Recently, Lai and his workers prepared a modified PU sponge adsorbent with high photothermal effect and thermal conductivity, 41 which could effectively absorb crude oil. Although these works have made much progress, the adsorption property still needs to be improved and the preparation process needs to be simplified.…”