Magnetic Wood-based Superhydrophobic Aerogel for Efficient Oil-Water Separation

keywords:wood aerogel  superhydrophobic  magnetic  photothermal conversion  oil-water separation

Abstract:The fabrication of directionally driven oil-water separation materials has great significance for the removal of oil spills and organic pollutants. In this study, an oil-water separation aerogel capable of directionally adsorbing oil was designed using an anisotropic wood aerogel with a layered structure and a top-down fabrication strategy. Specifically, a magnetic wood-based superhydrophobic aerogel (methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS)/Fe₃O₄ wood aerogel) was developed through the in situ co-precipitation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and chemical vapor deposition. Owing to its highly porous structure, lipophilicity, hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 160°), and high compressibility, the MTMS/Fe₃O₄ wood aerogel exhibits excellent oil-water separation performance and compression cycle stability. Additionally, the Fe₃O₄ endows the material with excellent magnetic and photothermal conversion capabilities. These excellent properties make MTMS/Fe₃O₄ wood aerogel a promising recyclable and sustainable oil-water separation material.