Superhydrophobic PU Sponge Modified by Hydrophobic Silica NPs-Polystyrene Nanocomposite for Oil-Water Separation

In this study, the hydrophobic silica nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by simple sol-gel processing of polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS). The nanocomposite solution is prepared by adding hydrophobic silica NPs in polystyrene solution and applied on the skeleton of polyurethane sponge by simple immersion-drying process. The as-prepared sponges exhibited superhydrophobic property with water contact angle 161 degrees and oil contact angle nearly 0 degrees and can separate oil from oil-water and oil-muddy water mixture. The superhydrophobic sponge has sustainable anti-wetting property under cross sectional cutting, pressing and twisting, and different pH environment. Such superhydrophobic sponge is suitable for practical application on a large scale.