Facile preparation of reduced GO modified porous ceramics with hierarchical pore structure as a highly efficient and durable sorbent material

Abstract Hydrophobic sorbents play a key role in the remediation processes of oil spills/leakages occurring globally. In present work, reduced graphene oxide modified porous diatomite ceramics with hierarchical pore structures and excellent mechanical strength were facilely fabricated using diatomite powder and graphene oxide as starting materials. The microstructures and absorption properties of reduced graphene oxide modified porous diatomite ceramics were investigated, and the results indicated that reduced graphene oxide entered into the pores of diatomite ceramics, and formed a membrane coating on the wall of the pores, which made the diatomite ceramics a highly efficient absorption for organic solvents, and the capability separating the organic counterpart from the oil/water mixture.