A solar-heated Janus sponge with excellent floating stability for efficient cleanup of heavy oil

Abstract

The inefficient cleanup of viscous heavy oil is thought as a worldwide problem because of its poorer fluidity at room temperature. Herein, we make full use of the photothermal performance to harvest solar energy and convert heat into heavy oil, thus reducing significantly oil viscosity and realizing rapid oil remediation. Specially, the polydopamine as photothermal components, titanium dioxide and perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane as superhydrophobic/superoleophilic source are introduced into the melamine-formaldehyde sponge by deposition method. To be applicable in the marine environments with winds and waves, the bottom side of this sponge subjected to UV irradiation is transferrable from superhydrophobicity to superhydrophilicity. The Janus sponge can keep the balance of movement and never overturned under the action of wind force, thereby enabling this sponge to absorb consecutively spilled heavy oil from marine system. With one simulated solar irradiation, the top and bottom of Janus sponge are heated to a suitable temperature of 90.7 and 70.2 °C, respectively. Relied on these advantages, the Janus sponge can effectively reduce the viscosity of spilled heavy oil and enhance its fluidity, which allow for quick heavy oil absorption up to nearly 12 times of own weight. Meanwhile, it can be also compressed for recycled uses.