Oil sorption with surface-modified rubber

Abstract

A method for sorbing oil comprises contacting the oil with an oil sorbing article comprising a plurality of substantially cross-linked polymer particles having adhesive layers formed on a portion of the outer surfaces of a majority of the particles. The particles are attached together with the adhesive areas to define a plurality of interstitial spaces. The method further comprising allowing the oil to sorb into the article. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive areas are formed by heating the portion of the outer surfaces to a sufficient temperature to eliminate a portion of the cross-linking. With the cross-linking eliminated, the portion of the outer surfaces becomes tacky enabling adjacent particles to adhere to one another and form the plurality of interstitial spaces. The article comprises interstitial spaces to trap air causing the article to remain on the surface of an aqueous medium.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.