Recyclable carbon nanotube sponges for oil absorption

The recyclability of carbon nanotube (CNT) sponges in terms of oil absorption was studied. The sorption capacities of these sponges are greater than 100 g g(-1) for many organics and oils with viscosities of 3-200 cP, and they maintain sorption capacities of 20-40 g g(-1) after 10 cycles of absorption. About 98% of absorbed oil can be recovered by squeezing or converted to heat by directly burning the oil within the sponges. The sorption process has been described by a second-order kinetic model. The results demonstrate that CNT sponges are promising oil sorbents with good recyclability. (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.