Rapid fabrication of superhydrophobic magnetic melt-blown fiber felt for oil spill recovery and efficient oil-water separation

In response to the defects of low oil adsorption capacity and poor oil-water selectivity of polypropylene fiber felt as an oil spill emergency material, which necessitates systematic improvement to cope with frequent oil spills. Herein, a superhydrophobic magnetic fiber felt is fabricated by a facile melt-blown technique and a rapid modification process to solve its defects while imparting its functionality. UV-induced rapid polymerization of dopamine on melt-blown fibers and a dip coating of hydrophobic candelilla wax to modify mussel-inspired oil-adsorbent felts. The resultant felt features remote controllability as well as thermal and mechanical stability, exhibiting high resistance to corrosive solutions. The adsorption efficiency of the modified felt is significantly enhanced with a capacity of 10-20.48 g/g, and notably, it can be recycled 15 times via manual adsorption-desorption, which greatly contributes to the usefulness of the adsorbent. In addition, the separation eff-ciency of the felt applied as a membrane exceeds 95.7 % for various oil-water mixtures by gravity alone and a permeate flux of up to 28,662 L center dot m(-2)center dot h(-1). A pump-assisted experiment connected to a felt can collect oil at a flux of 20,845 L center dot m(-2)center dot h(-1), aiming at the continuous recovery of oil spills from seawater. The significant advancement in oil-adsorbent felt provides engineers with a more realistic strategy to handle oil spills and challenging separations.

Automated summary

To address the limitations of polypropylene fiber felt as an oil spill emergency material, a superhydrophobic magnetic fiber felt was developed through a melt-blown technique and rapid modification process. The modified felt exhibited improved oil adsorption capacity, recyclability, and high separation efficiency. It also demonstrated thermal and mechanical stability, making it suitable for handling oil spills and challenging separations. The advancement in oil-adsorbent felt provides a realistic strategy for engineers to cope with oil spills.