Facile fabrication of superhydrophobic ZnO powders coated on polyurethane sponge for effective oil/water separation application

Abstract

Oil spills pose significant challenges to the environment, wildlife, and local economies, thus an effective method for cleaning up an oil spill is urgent. Here, superhydrophobic ZnO powder particles were synthesized using a simple and efficient method and investigated their coating on polyurethane sponge for oil/water separation application. Initially, ZnO particles were prepared through a hydrothermal reaction of Zn(CH3COO)2 and NaOH solution in an autoclave. Subsequently, superhydrophobic ZnO particles were obtained through hydrophobic modification using either stearic acid or 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane. The results demonstrate that the ZnO particles exhibited excellent superhydrophobic properties, with contact angle of 153o. After coating superhydrophobic ZnO particles on the polyurethane sponge, the surface became superhydrophobic/oleophilic and could adsorb oil with a capacity measured up to more than 40 times its own weight. Results demonstrate the promising application of superhydrophobic/oleophilic polyurethane sponge for oil/water separation.