Solar-assisted isotropically thermoconductive sponge for highly viscous crude oil spill remediation

Efficiently cleaning up high-viscosity crude oil spills is still a serious global problem. In this paper, a composite filler PPy-polydopamine/BN (PPB) with high photothermal effect and high thermal conductivity was first prepared. Then the polyurethane sponge is decorated with polydimethylsiloxane and PPB to obtain a solar-assisted isotropically thermoconductive adsorbent ([email protected]), which exhibits remarkable stability and durable mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the [email protected] sponge has good thermal conductivity, and its surface temperature rises to 91°C in just 1 min under irradiation (1 sun). Therefore, the [email protected] sponge can quickly heat and adsorb the crude oil contacted by the surface, significantly speed up the crude oil recovery process, and the adsorption capacity is as high as about 45 g/g. Finally, the oil adsorption method of the three-dimensional adsorbent is demonstrated, which provides a new idea for the subsequent development of advanced oil spill adsorbent.