Flexible macroporous carbon nanofiber film with high oil adsorption capacity

Hua Liu, Chang-Yan Cao, Fang-Fang Wei, Pei-Pei Huang, Yong-Bin Sun, Lei Jiang, Wei-Guo Song

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

130 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3557-3562
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume2
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Mar 2014
Externally publishedYes

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