Electrospun nanofibrous membranes based on a semi-alicyclic polyimide for efficient oil spill remediation

Oil spill pollution poses severe risks to water resources, causing significant harm to marine ecosystems and presenting an ongoing threat to environmental health. To address this issue, various oil sorbent materials have been researched and evaluated for their effectiveness in mitigating such pollution. In this study, we successfully fabricated a highly efficient hydrophobic nanofibrous membrane using 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA)-based semi-alicyclic polyimide through electrospinning technology. The resulting membrane exhibits a uniform nanofibrous structure with a bead-free surface morphology. Contact angle measurements of approximately 133° confirmed the membrane's hydrophobicity, a critical property for effective oil sorption. Oil uptake tests demonstrated exceptional performance, with the sorbent showing a high adsorption capacity of 78, 50 and 45 g g⁻¹ for crude oil, diesel, and kerosene, respectively. Given its rapid adsorption rate and robust performance, this polyimide-based nanofibrous membrane is a promising material for sustainable oil spill cleanup applications.