Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene/Mxene Nanosheet Composites with Hydrophilicity and Lipophilicity for Purification of Oil Spills and Wastewater

Abstract

The frequent occurrence of oil leaks and air pollution has had devastating and long-term impacts on the aquatic environment. Therefore, it is urgent to effectively address water sources and environments polluted by oil leaks. In this study, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)/Mxene nanosheet composites with nanoscale double pore structures were constructed by combining PTFE particles with Mxene nanosheets, which improved the hydrophilicity, oil absorption capacity, and oil–water separation performance of the material, which relied on the degree of expansion and the Mxene content. The composition of the ePTFE/Mxene composites was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the microstructure and morphology of the composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Oil and water contact angle tests showed that the ePTFE/Mxene composites have good hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. Oil absorption tests showed that ePTFE/Mxene has good oil absorption capacity and reusability. Due to their amphiphilic nature and their efficient oil absorption capacities, the ePTFE/Mxene nanosheet composites with dual pore structures exhibited good potential for practical applications in oil spill remediation and water separation/remediation.