Wax-wetting sponges for oil droplets recovery from frigid waters.

Energy-efficient recovery of oil droplets from ice-cold water, such as oil sands tailings, marine, and arctic oil spills, is challenging. In particular, due to paraffin wax crystallization at low temperatures, the crude oil exhibits high viscosity, making it difficult to collect using simple solutions like sponges. Here, we report a wax-wetting sponge designed by conforming to the thermoresponsive microstructure of crude oil droplets.

Acid-Base Polymeric Foams for the Adsorption of Micro-oil Droplets from Industrial Effluents.

Separation of toxic organic pollutants from industrial effluents is a great environmental challenge. Herein, an acid-base engineered foam is employed for separation of micro-oil droplets from an aqueous solution. In acidic or basic environments, acid-base polymers acquire surface charge due to protonation or dissociation of surface active functional groups.