A Facile one-step fabrication of a fibrous nylon sponge for oil-water separation and absorption in batch and continuous process

An efficient and cost-effective remediation method for chemical leaks and oil spills is necessary. In order to meet these requirements, a simple one-step immersion procedure was implemented to create nylon fibrous sponges with superoleophilic/hydrophobic surfaces capable of absorbing organic solvents and hydrocarbons from contaminated water. The prepared M-FNS (modified fibrous nylon-sponge)'s physical absorption properties were examined by batch and continuous process. Furthermore, the changes through chemical modification of M-FNS were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). M-FNS exhibited excellent absorption capacities up to 22–37 times its weight used for common oils and organic solvents and excellent recyclability was above 99% (sunflower oil) and 98% (used engine oil) after 15 cycles of absorption and desorption with easy mechanical squeezing process. It can continuously and quickly absorb large amounts of organic solvents and oils off the water's surface. Furthermore, the inherent high porosity of prepared M-FNS with successful chemical surface modification permits high flux capacity oil-water separation of 66 L/g.h, with a separation efficiency of over 99%. Preparing M-FNS with the solution immersion process is simple, easy to scale, and only requires one step. Therefore, its proven affordability, ease of use, higher absorption and separation efficiency (M-FNS) showed an excellent capability to fulfill the requirements of chemical clean-ups, industrial oil separation, and future oil spill recovery.