A Fiber-Aligned Thermal-Managed Wood-Based Superhydrophobic Aerogel for Efficient Oil Recovery

The fabrication and performance of aerogel-based superabsorbents for oil are critically important material aspects. More specifically, efficient oil-water separation per unit time and cycle remains a challenge. Herein, an integrated, continuous, rapid, and highly recyclable oil-water separation and recycle system has been developed by use of an anisotropic wood aerogel possessing a layered structure obtained using a top-down fabrication strategy followed by freeze-drying. Specifically, a superhydrophobic aerogel with a thermal management function was developed through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and novel splicing with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The lipophilicity of the modified wood aerogel in conjunction with an intrinsic CNT photothermal effect provided an optimal juxtaposition of adsorption, fast volatilization, and accelerated purification characterized by continuous removal of the oil from the aerogel in a gaseous form so the aerogel was prevented from reaching its own oil absorption saturation point. A recovery chamber was designed with a sandwich structure to allow the gaseous oil to be ultraeffectively collected. Additionally, the as-fabricated aerogel displayed strong bactericidal function from activated oxygen released during the photothermal heating.