Natural-Light-Initiated 3D Macro Zigzag Architecture of Graphene-Reinforced Polystyrene for Gravity-Driven Oil and Water Separation

Superhydrophobic 3D robust materials are introduced for the separation of hexane and water. For the first time, novel 3D zigzag polystyrene on graphene-incorporated polyurethane (3D zz-PS/GR/PU) is prepared using exclusively natural sunlight without any chemical initiator. The zigzag polystyrene growth is accomplished by polymerizing the styrene vapors. The natural sunlight provides a compact 3D zz-PS/GR/PU material with superoleophilic and hydrophobic channels that allow for the rapid passage of oil, whereas water is entirely prevented from passing. The 3D zz-PS/GR/PU compact channels are transformed into the compressible material by treating them with toluene without affecting the hydrophobicity of the material. The 3D zz-PS/GR/PU displays a high-water contact angle of approximately 150 degrees. The developed materials are characterized by FTIR, SEM, and BET. The graphene incorporation makes surface area of the 3D zz-PS/GR/PU substantially large compared with PU. It is improved from