J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2023, Vol. 150: 190-200.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2022.12.019

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Tailoring surface features and pore structure by carbon spiral fibers to construct the high-strength carbon foams for the fast and cyclic photo-thermal oil absorption

Shaohua Shia,b, Yulin Tangb, Guizhen Wangb,*, Jinchuan Zhaoa,c, Gengping Wanb, Lihong Wub, Jieping Wangb, Chul B. Parkc, Guilong Wanga,*   

  1. aKey Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250061, China;
    bState Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, ChinacMicrocellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S3G8, Canada
  • Received:2022-11-17 Revised:2022-12-06 Accepted:2022-12-19 Published:2023-07-01 Online:2023-02-10
  • Contact: *E-mail addresses: wangguizhen0@hotmail.com (G. Wang), guilong@sdu.edu.cn (G. Wang).

Abstract: Two key limitations affecting the commercial application of carbon foams for fast clean-up of varied oils are the complex synthesis process and poor mechanical stability. In this work, an effective method is reported to fabricate the efficient oil-absorbing materials (CSF@MCF) of carbon spiral fibers (CSFs) anchored on melamine carbon foam (MCF) with superior mechanical properties and excellent photothermal conversion. The interwoven CSFs can not only provide extra rigidity but also reduce the stress concentration of the carbon skeleton, which greatly improves the mechanical properties with 6.3 times maximum compression stress and 4.5 times ultimate tensile strength than MCF. In addition, the pure carbon component can reduce the interface resistance and excite the free electrons more easily, thus realizing high-efficiency photothermal conversion in a wide range of wavelengths. Under light irradiation, the CSF@MCF can be quickly heated up to 70 °C and achieve ultra-high absorption of crude oil, up to 62 g g-1, due to its low density and large absorption volume. Meanwhile, the CSF@MCF exhibits impressive absorption stability with persistent superhydrophobicity and a high recovery efficiency of over 85%. Superadding its simple preparation process, low production cost, and excellent acid-alkali resistance, the CSF@MCF shows great commercial potential for effectively absorbing varied oils.

Key words: Carbon spiral fiber, Melamine carbon foam, Mechanical enhancement, Photothermal conversion, Oil absorption