Facile fabrication of g-C3N4/Bi2S3 coated melamine foam for oil/water separation applications†

Regular occurrences of oil leaks are recognized as a significant contributor to water pollution, resulting in substantial environmental and ecological challenges, as well as posing potential for fires and explosions. Therefore, it is imperative to create a cost-effective and exceptionally effective absorbent material for separating oil and water. Hydrophobic, foam-like materials have garnered considerable attention as potential absorbers for addressing oil spills and recovering oil from water sources. In this experimental study, simple, low-cost, environmentally friendly, highly hydrophobic, and super oleophilic g-C₃N₄/Bi₂S₃ nanocomposite-coated melamine foam was introduced for oily wastewater treatment. The g-C₃N₄ and Bi₂S₃ were synthesized by thermal decomposition and hydrothermal methods, and the g-C₃N₄/Bi₂S₃ composite-coated foam was prepared by a simple dip-coated method. The g-C₃N₄/Bi₂S₃ composite-coated melamine foam shows excellent absorption capacity, and it can absorb various oils and solvents and separate different oils and solvents from water. Hence, the developed g-C₃N₄/Bi₂S₃ foam absorbent has excellent potential in oil/water separation applications.