Polymer nanotubes toward gelating organic chemicals

Crosslinked polymer nanotubes are large scale synthesized. The method is based on fast cationic polymerization using immiscible initiator nanodroplets. Nanoporous network processed from the nanotubes is superhydrophobic, which can absorb all the tested organic chemicals forming robust gels. The nanotubes are promising in the collection of spilled organic chemicals, detoxification and water treatment.