Water purification material for petrochemicals

Abstract

Vapor phase polymerization can be used to synthesize a 3D porous network of polystyrene-containing, branched carbon nanofibers on polyurethane(s), optionally using natural light (NL) initiation. NL styrene polymerization in a confined reactor containing CNF-grafted PU can provide a stable porous network. The NL can vaporize the styrene by increasing the reactor temperature and generate styrene radicals. Without CNF, the polymerization on polyurethane (PU) provides a delicate, fragile surface. Radical styrene in vapor phase can interact with CNF to produce polystyrene branches by generating active sites on CNF, while reinforcing the 3D porous structure. After polymerization, the PU surface area increased from 9 to 184 m2/g and pore size decreased from 2567 to 10 Å. 3D porous networks of NL-assisted PS branched CNF supported PU can provide a hydrophobic, oleophilic surface with a water contact angle of approx 148±3°, rapidly gravity separating hexane and water without external force.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.