Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic polystyrene/carbon nanotubes foam for oil/water separation

Abstract In this study, a novel superhydrophobic and superoleophilic polystyrene/carbon nanotubes foam (PCF) for oil/water separation was fabricated via a facile two-step strategy. The combination of phase inversion and porogen leaching generated hierarchical porous structure with high porosity. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were firmly immobilized on the polystyrene (PS) skeleton, constructing a nanoscale-rough surface with superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity. The PCF displayed large absorption capacity, fast absorption rate, and strong preference for organic liquids, capable of removing oil efficiently from water surface and surfactant stabilized oil-in-water emulsion. The PCF shows great potentials in oil spill treatment and chemical accident remediation. In addition, the raw PS used in PCF fabrication was from recycled packages, providing a feasible path for reducing the environmental pollution and changing waste into valuable resources.