Facile hydrophilic modification of polydimethylsiloxane-based sponges for efficient oil–water separation
Journal
Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
Journal Volume
96
Pages
144-155
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
In this study, an eco-friendly fabrication process for the hydrophilic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based sponge was proposed with the assistance of sugar templates and poly(dimethylsiloxane-b-ethylene oxide) (PDMS-b-PEO) block copolymer additives. The effects of sugar loadings and sugar particle sizes on sponge structure and separation performance were investigated. Manipulating sugar loadings exhibited a unique control over the porosity of sponge, which further influenced the absorption capacity and oil–water separation speed. Additionally, the surface modification of PDMS sponge from hydrophobic/oleophilic to hydrophilic/underwater oleophobic was achieved by incorporating PDMS-b-PEO. Such modified sponge demonstrated an underwater oil contact angle of 154° and a stable separation efficiency greater than 99.9% in the gravity-driven cycled filtration tests. The hydrophilic PDMS-b-PEO modified sponges highlighted herein reveal a promising potential for novel separation materials with energy-efficient and cost-effective features, which are ideal for oil spill clean-up events and wastewater treatment application. ? 2021 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
Subjects
Additives; Block copolymers; Contact angle; Cost effectiveness; Energy efficiency; Ethylene; Hydrophilicity; Hydrophobicity; Microchannels; Oil spills; Polydimethylsiloxane; Separation; Wastewater treatment; Water absorption; Absorption capacity; Fabrication process; Hydrophilic modification; Polydimethylsiloxane PDMS; Separation efficiency; Separation materials; Separation performance; Surface modification of PDMS; Silicones
SDGs
Other Subjects
Additives; Block copolymers; Contact angle; Cost effectiveness; Energy efficiency; Ethylene; Hydrophilicity; Hydrophobicity; Microchannels; Oil spills; Polydimethylsiloxane; Separation; Wastewater treatment; Water absorption; Absorption capacity; Fabrication process; Hydrophilic modification; Polydimethylsiloxane PDMS; Separation efficiency; Separation materials; Separation performance; Surface modification of PDMS; Silicones
Type
journal article