Preparation and modification of antibacterial polyurethane foam for oil–water separation

Polyurethane foam (PUF) has the characteristics of light, loose and polyporous. These characteristics make it play a great role in the adsorption of offshore oil spill. However, the recovery of oil spills in the multi-microbial Marine environment requires not only high adsorption properties of materials, but also efficient antibacterial properties. In this study, we prepared amino acid doped antibacterial polyurethane foam (AA-PUF). Then, polydopamine (PDA) and modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used to modify the surface of polyurethane, and MWCNTs/PDA@AA-PUF with antibacterial property and excellent oil–water separation effect was prepared successfully. The modified AA-PUF had high absorption rate (23 times of self-weight) and could realize cyclic adsorption while preventing bacterial adhesion. These studies indicated that AA-PUF was modified by PDA and MWCNTs which can be used as an efficient oil–water separation material, and it can prevent the adhesion of bacteria. This special material has great potential for practical application in solving oil–water separation in complex environment. Graphical Abstract (a) Flow chart of polyurethane foam modification; (b) Oil–water separation process.