Tailoring surface features and pore structure by carbon spiral fibers to construct the high-strength carbon foams for the fast and cyclic photo-thermal oil absorption

Two key limitations affecting the commercial application of carbon foams for fast clean-up of varied oils are the complex synthesis process and poor mechanical stability. In this work, an effective method is re-ported to fabricate the efficient oil-absorbing materials (CSF@MCF) of carbon spiral fibers (CSFs) anchored on melamine carbon foam (MCF) with superior mechanical properties and excellent photothermal con-version. The interwoven CSFs can not only provide extra rigidity but also reduce the stress concentration of the carbon skeleton, which greatly improves the mechanical properties with 6.3 times maximum com-pression stress and 4.5 times ultimate tensile strength than MCF. In addition, the pure carbon component can reduce the interface resistance and excite the free electrons more easily, thus realizing high-efficiency photothermal conversion in a wide range of wavelengths. Under light irradiation, the CSF@MCF can be quickly heated up to 70 degrees C and achieve ultra-high absorption of crude oil, up to 62 g g -1, due to its low density and large absorption volume. Meanwhile, the CSF@MCF exhibits impressive absorption stability with persistent superhydrophobicity and a high recovery efficiency of over 85%. Superadding its simple preparation process, low production cost, and excellent acid-alkali resistance, the CSF@MCF shows great commercial potential for effectively absorbing varied oils. (c) 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

Automated summary

This study reports an effective method to fabricate efficient oil-absorbing materials with superior mechanical properties and excellent photothermal conversion. The interwoven carbon spiral fibers anchored on melamine carbon foam improve the mechanical properties significantly and achieve high-efficiency photothermal conversion. The resulting CSF@MCF material shows great commercial potential for effectively absorbing varied oils due to its ultra-high absorption capacity, persistent superhydrophobicity, high recovery efficiency, and low production cost.