Bio-based oil gelling agent for effective removal of oil spills from the surface of water

Developing novel materials for oil–water separation is highly desirable to solve the problems caused by oil spills. Herein, a wheat-bran-based hybrid material was prepared using a hydrothermal process, and the feasibility of utilizing the hybrid as an oil gelling agent (OGA) was studied. The results showed that the obtained material exhibited a mild hydrophobicity with a water contact angle above 130°, and an oleophilicity with high adsorption capacity for various oils and organic solvents. Furthermore, the material continuously adsorbed and gelled the oil floating on the water surface, forming an oil–OGA aggregate when in contact with an oil–water mixture. The aggregation-induced gelation observed in the material makes it possible to conveniently remove oil spills from the surface of water. The low cost and environmentally benign process distinguishes the developed material as a candidate that is suitable for the clean-up of oil spills.