Facile hydrothermal synthesis of polyimide/Fe3O4 aerogel microspheres as magnetically controllable oil sorbents

Novel polyimide (PI) /Fe3O4 aerogel microspheres (PFAM) are designed and prepared via solvothermal method. The resultant PFAM exhibit superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity in air; as well as superoleophilicity in water. The contact angle of PFAM surface to water is 148.4 +/- 2.4 degrees (in air) and to oil is closed to 0 degrees (in air and in water). The embedded Fe3O4 nanoparticles impart the PFAM roughness in the nano-and microscale, thus effectively enhancing the wettability of PI matrix. Moreover, due to the remote magnetic controllability, micro size, as well as the high thermal stability, outstanding resistance to solvent and superior mechanical properties of PI, the PFAM can be used to extract oil in narrow space under severe ambient conditions. The oil/solvent ab-sorption capacities of PFAM are in the range of 82-147 g/g, making them promising sorbents in extracting unconventional oil underground.

Automated summary

Novel polyimide/Fe3O4 aerogel microspheres were synthesized using solvothermal method. The resulting PFAM showed superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity in air, as well as superoleophilicity in water. The addition of Fe3O4 nanoparticles increased the roughness of PFAM, thereby enhancing the wettability of the PI matrix.