Mussel-inspired one-step modification of a porous structured surface with self-cleaning properties for oil sorption

A mussel-inspired one-step modification has been developed to coat polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponges with polydopamine/octadecylamine for oil sorption. The durable and hydrophobic sponge with self-healing properties may be useful to prevent the degradation by graphite particles residing on the material surfaces and maintain the oil/water separation efficiency. The coated PDMS sponge showed oil absorbency in the range from 830% to 4300% for various organic solvents, with the maximum absorption capacity reaching up to 43 times of its weight. Furthermore, PDMS sponges showed little loss of their absorption capacities and original weights after 20 absorbing/recovering cycles.