Superhydrophobic melamine sponge prepared by radiation-induced grafting technology for efficient oil–water separation

This paper presents a superhydrophobic melamine (ME) sponge (ME-g-PLMA) prepared via high-energy radiation-induced in situ covalent grafting of long-alkyl-chain dodecyl methacrylate (LMA) onto an ME sponge for efficient oil–water separation. The obtained ME-g-PLMA sponge had an excellent pore structure with superhydrophobic (water contact angle of \(154^\circ\) ${154}^{\circ }$ ) and superoleophilic properties. It can absorb various types of oils up to 66–168 times its mass. The ME-g-PLMA sponge can continuously separate oil slicks in water by connecting a pump or separating oil underwater with a gravity-driven device. In addition, it maintained its highly hydrophobic properties even after long-term immersion in different corrosive solutions and repeated oil adsorption. The modified ME-g-PLMA sponge exhibited excellent separation properties and potential for oil spill cleanup.