Preparation of Superhydrophobic Magnetic Polyurethane Sponge for Removing Oil Pollutants from Water

Abstract

The superhydrophobic magnetic sponge were prepared by Fe3O4 nanoparticals and stearic acid which were coated on the surface of polyurethane sponge. The preparation process of the superhydrophobic materials are prepared under mild, low-cost and environment-friendly conditions. pieces of PU sponges were decorated immersed in a ethanol solution which uniform suspension Fe3O4 nanoparticles ethanol by ultrasonication, and the obtained PU sponges were modified with stearic acid. The Fe3O4 and stearic acid were coated onto the skeleton surface of the sponge, which make the as-prepared sponge possess magnetic and hierarchically microstructure. The high elasticity sponge can through the simple squeeze realize oil recovery. After 5 cycles, the as-prepared sponge retains excellent absorption properties. The superhydrophobic magnetic polyurethane sponge has great potential in industrial oil separation and oil spill recovery in future.