Wang C.-JKuan W.-FLin H.-PShchipunov Y.AChen L.-J.LI-JEN CHEN2021-08-052021-08-0520211226086Xhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85100438749&doi=10.1016%2fj.jiec.2021.01.015&partnerID=40&md5=65b4c6313dc94efd88cf7f852fd35bf2https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/576768In 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 ChemistryAdditives; 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]SDG7Additives; 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; Siliconesjournal article10.1016/j.jiec.2021.01.0152-s2.0-85100438749