A team led by Prof. MA Pengcheng from Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of Chinese Academy of Sciences developed oil-absorbing silicone sponges.
The researchers used commercial silane molecules as precursors, and they prepared ternary silicone sponges with controlled structure and porosity by controlling the degree of hydrolyzation and experimental conditions (pH, temperature).
Researchers put on illustrating the role of functionalities of silane on the morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of silicone sponge.
The results showed that the sponge is efficient for separating various organic liquids from water with adsorption capacity ranging from 6 to 14 times of its own weight, and an excellent recyclability under cyclic operations. On the basis of this feature, the sponge could be used for the separation of miscible organic liquids.
The results of the study were published in Polymer Chemistry. Part of research was presented as an Invited Talk in the Seventh International Symposium on Engineering Plastics.
The work was supported by the Research Fund for Distinguished Young Scientist in Xinjiang, the Thousand Talent Program, and the Technology Fund for Selected Overseas Chinese from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China.