Porous graphene films with worm-like graphene surface as ultrafast adsorbents for oils and organic solvents

Abstract Porous graphene film (PGF) with unique surface consisting mostly of thermal-exfoliated worm-like graphene sheets were fabricated through flame expansion-exfoliation of graphene oxide film with non-exfoliated graphite oxide powders precipitated at its bottom. The resultant PGF showed not only faster adsorption rate during oil/solvent collection in comparison with traditional PGFs, but also similar high adsorption capacity and reliable recyclability. For instance, the adsorption capacities of the new PGF for organic solvents were in the range of ∼11-33 times of its own weight, and they displayed good stability during ten exchange-evaporation recycling process. Moreover, this approach can be easily scalable and applied to prepare other PGF composites.