Novel carbon-nanotube-based organogels as candidates for oil recovery

A simple method for synthesis of novel organogels based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is reported. Three classes of organogels were synthesized by crosslinking polymerization of dodecyl methacrylate with various weight percentages of 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, vinyl-group-modified MWCNTs or pristine MWCNTs in the presence of 2,2-azoisobutyronitrile as initiator. In this reaction, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) served simultaneously as an adsorbent, a comonomer and a crosslinking agent. The oil-absorbent containing CNTs showed much higher swelling capacity in oil and organic solvents compared with that without CNTs. Therefore, CNT-based organogels can be introduced as a promising candidate for environmental protection and oil recovery. (C) 2012 Society of Chemical Industry