Superhydrophobic 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified graphene oxide graft copolymer/melamine sponge for efficient oil/water separation

Abstract

A superhydrophobic sponge (GO-g-PBA/APTES/MS) was fabricated through a facile and cost-effective dipping method. The as-prepared GO-g-PBA/APTES/MS adsorbed a broad variety of oils and organic solvents and exhibited high oil adsorption capacity (67.4–163.3 g g⁻¹). The GO-g-PBA/APTES/MS could be utilized as an efficient filter for continuous oil/water separation with the assistance of a peristaltic pump. Meanwhile, this superhydrophobic sponge could be easily recovered by simple squeezing and reused for at least 70 cycles, maintaining a high adsorption capacity. Furthermore, GO-g-PBA/APTES/MS displayed superior stability in corrosive liquids such as acidic, alkaline, and salty environments. These results provided a useful avenue for utilization of the GO-g-PBA/APTES/MS, demonstrating the potential for applications in oil/water separation and oil spill collection.