Multifunctional fireproof coated polyurethane sponge for photothermal assisted efficient recovery of high viscosity oil

Frequent oil spills at sea and the large-scale marine fires caused by them seriously jeopardize the marine ecosystem and human health. In this study, the use of multifunctional oil-absorbing materials was expected to solve the problems triggered by marine oil spills. Herein, a multifunctional coated polyurethane foams (FPMA-PUF) were prepared by immersing polyurethane foams (PUF) into a coating containing fluorinated polydimethylsilane (F-PDMS), silica, hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-OH), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The results showed that FPMA-PUF exhibited superhydrophobicity, chemical stability, and mechanical durability, which was capable of adsorbing and separating a variety of oils in a stable manner. FPMA-PUF had excellent flame retardancy and self-extinguishing after 65 s of combustion, which could reduce the risk of fire. In addition, FPMA-PUF also had a certain degree of fire resistance in the simulation of marine oil fire. FPMA-PUF could be used in combination with a pump to achieve the recovery of oil within 52 s for fire extinguish. This work provided a new direction for dealing with the adsorption and separation of high-viscosity oils, safety prevention and control of fires caused by marine oils, as well as fire extinguishing treatment, and realizing the benign strategy of extinguishing the fire by pumping the oil strike at the root of the trouble.