Development of Modified Microporous Elastomeric Sponges for Efficient Oil-Water Separation

Abstract

Oil pollution significantly impacts the environment and has become a chronic issue for marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, developing a sponge-like material capable of effectively absorbing and retaining oil on the surface is a promising approach. The sponge, potentially reused repeatedly, significantly reduces the impact of oil spills. In this study, a hydrophobic graphite-based microporous elastomeric sponge is fabricated using a sugar-templating approach. The surface morphology of the elastomeric-graphite sponge is studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition of the film is analyzed by alpha-attenuated total reflectance - Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The films surface hydrophobicity and oleophilic characteristics are analyzed using a goniometer. The elastomeric-graphite sponge absorption and filtration capacity, wettability, and reusability were investigated against gasoline and Cocos nucifera oil. Elastomeric sponge has shown absorption capacity of 530.40 ± 22.98% and 223.27 ± 10.63% for gasoline and Cocos nucifera oil, respectively. The modification of elastomer with graphite improved the sponge absorption capacity to 626.15 ± 15.77 % and 264.57 ± 15.20 % for gasoline and Cocos nucifera oil, respectively. In conclusion, the elastomeric-graphite sponge has shown specific absorption for organic solvents/oils. The elastomeric-graphite sponge is able to filter the organic solvents/oils from the water. The compression and reusability assessment has shown that the elastomeric-graphite sponge is able to withstand high stress and is reusable after repeated compressions.