Flexible macroporous carbon nanofiber film with high oil adsorption capacity

A sublimation method using terephthalic acid (PTA) as the sublimating agent was developed to generate macropores inside electrospun carbon nanofibers. During carbonization of electrospun PTA-polyacrylonitrile composite nanofibers, PTA sublimed and macropores were created within the carbon nanofiber, resulting in flexible and self-sustained carbon film. The carbon nanofiber film showed excellent oil adsorption property with maximum capacities of 62.6, 73.8, 64.0, 94.0 and 138.4 g g^-1 for ethanol, pump oil, mineral oil, corn oil and silicone oil. The film exhibited excellent recyclability by rinsing with suitable organic solvent, and promising ability in cleaning up oil spills, as well as fast and efficient separation of oil in oil-water mixtures.