The preparation of antifouling and superhydrophobic polyurethane sponge by grafting Econea to diisocyanate monomer for durable continuous oil/water separation and cleanup of oil spills

The oil-absorbent sponge is effective in the prevention and cleanup of offshore oil spills. However, biofouling in marine environments will significantly reduce its oil absorption capacity. Herein, a novel type of antifouling and superhydrophobic polyurethane (PU) sponge was successfully prepared via grafting Econea (antifouling agent) to diisocyanate monomer and hydrophobic modification of PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) and SiO 2 . The prepared PDMS-SiO 2 @PU-Econea sponge shows not only super-hydrophobicity with a WCA of 154.5° but also excellent antifouling properties with more than 99% of inhibition to Escherichia coli after immersed in artificial seawater (salinity ≈35‰) for 50 days. It can absorb 133.9 times of trichloromethane than its own weight and still maintain 98.5% of absorption after 50 cycles. In addition, the PDMS-SiO 2 @PU-Econea sponge exhibits excellent continuous oil–water separation performance. The separation fluxes of n-hexane and dichloromethane are 151.0 and 136.3 L·h −1 ·g −1 , respectively, and the oil–water separation efficiency is up to 99.9%, it can absorb 50 times of crude oil than its own weight in 75 s. Therefore, the antifouling and superhydrophobic PDMS-SiO 2 @PU-Econea sponge is a promising and applicable oil absorbent sponge for long-term oil/water separation and cleanup of oil spills in marine environment.