Synthesis of Polyurethane Foams Loaded with TiO2 Nanoparticles and Their Modification for Enhanced Performance in Oil Spill Cleanup

Sponge-like superhydrophobic and superoleophilic materials are attracting significant attention for effective cleanup and recovery of spilled oils from water. We report on the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticle/polyurethane (TPU) composite foam substrate and its surface modification with tetradecylamine (TDA)-amidated graphene oxide (GO-TDA), thereby forming superhydrophobic and superoleophilic TPU-GO-TDA sorbent for oil spill clean-ups. Spectroscopic analyses confirmed that TDA was successfully grafted onto GO and the reduced GO by TDA was successfully grafted onto the TPU foam. Sorption experiments with engine oil, crude oil, silicone oil, and chloroform demonstrated that the TPU-GOTDA foam was an effective sorbent with sorption capacity of 20.262.4 times its own weight. The absorbed oils in the sorbent could be recovered simply by squeezing the oil-laden foam. The much higher selectivity to oils and better reusability of the TPU-GO-TDA foam than commercial sorbents make the TPU-GO-TDA foam promising for the separation and recovery of spilled oils and organic solvents from water.