Efficient superhydrophobic and flame retardant oil/water separation conjugated microporous polymer-coated sponges

Superhydrophobic conjugated microporous polymer-coated sponges (CMP@sponges) were synthesized in one pot by an in situ Sonogashira coupling reaction of silyl and amino group-containing monomers in the presence of melamine sponges. The water contact angles of the superhydrophobic CMP@sponges reached 154.9°. Introducing a small number of amino groups enhanced the hydrophobicity and stability of the CMP@sponges. The CMP@sponges exhibited a good absorption capacity for various oils (more than 80 times their own weight) and were stable after 10 cycles. An oil collection device was also designed to perform continuous oil separation from water. Gasoline and diesel can be collected at speeds of 16–18 mL/s with an efficiency of 99%. The superhydrophobic CMP@sponges can not only separate oil/water mixtures but can also be used for separating water-in-oil emulsions with an efficiency of approximately 90%. In addition, the CMP@sponges show excellent flame retardancy, which can reduce the risk of fire and explosion and holds great promise for the treatment of flammable fuels and organic compounds.