Russian Scientists Develop Reusable Polymer Film to Absorb Oil from Water
Russian scientists at St. Petersburg State University have developed a reusable polymer film that effectively absorbs oil from water surfaces. This lightweight material floats, withstands harsh conditions, and can be reused multiple times after being wrung out and washed. Designed to mitigate environmental damage from oil spills, the film can absorb up to 40 grams of motor oil per gram of material and remains highly efficient even after several cleaning cycles, offering a low-cost solution.
Scientists at St. Petersburg State University (SPbU)'s Advanced Engineering School in Russia have successfully developed an innovative, lightweight, and reusable polymer film designed to efficiently absorb oil from water surfaces. Presented as a significant advancement in mitigating environmental damage from oil spills, the material is capable of remaining afloat on real water surfaces even amid rough waves and strong winds, ensuring its efficacy in challenging conditions.The polymer film, which resembles a white, non-woven synthetic sheet of ultrafine fibers forming a sponge-like structure, functions as a buoyant sorbent. It darkens upon contact with oil, turning completely black once the absorption process is complete. Rigorous testing has demonstrated its impressive sorption capacity: up to 40 grams of motor oil per gram of material and approximately 20 grams of crude oil per gram. Anastasia Nosova, a leading specialist at SPbU, highlighted its effectiveness on various petroleum products.A key benefit of this development is its reusability and low production cost. After absorbing oil, the film can be quickly wrung out, washed, and redeployed. Even after five cleaning cycles, its sorption capacity decreases by only 15 to 20 percent, making it a highly sustainable and cost-effective solution for addressing the numerous oil spills – an estimated 10,000 annually in Russia alone – that threaten aquatic ecosystems and wildlife. This breakthrough offers a promising new tool for environmental protection.
