Synthesis of Highly Hydrophobic Hexafluorobutyl Methacrylate-Divinylbenzene Copolymer Porous Materials and Their Application in Oil-Water Separation

In order to address the environmental issues caused by marine oil spills, this study utilised hexafluorobutyl methacrylate and divinylbenzene as monomers to construct a three-dimensional porous oil-absorbing material via the high-internal-phase emulsion template method. The material was characterised using a range of analytical techniques, including SEM, FT-IR, and a contact angle meter. This analysis enabled a comprehensive investigation into its oil absorption capacity, oil-water separation performance, reusability, oil recovery efficiency, and adsorption process. The material displays a high degree of hydrophobicity and superoleophilia, as evidenced by the following measurements: water contact angle of 146°, water rolling angle of approximately 4°, and oil contact angle of approximately 0°. The oil absorption capacity of the material (27.46~51.32 g·g⁻¹) far exceeds that of conventional oil-absorbing materials, and the oil recovery efficiency can reach an impressive 94% or higher. The material can be recycled on an ongoing basis, with a maximum of 10 repeated cycles, and is capable of fully adsorbing diesel within 112 seconds. The adsorption process is governed by a quasi-second-order kinetic model, with the adsorption rate being influenced by interfacial polar interactions and intraporous diffusion. The study indicates that this material combines a fast adsorption rate, high oil adsorption capacity, and excellent cyclic recovery performance, demonstrating potential application value in the fields of marine oil spill cleanup and oil recovery.