Double Pickering emulsion as a template to synthesize composite oil absorption materials with three-dimensional porous structure

ABSTRACT To improve the performance of traditional oil absorption materials, a novel concept is proposed for the fabrication of composite oil absorption materials with three-dimensional porous structure via a double Pickering emulsion template. Oil‐in‐water‐in‐oil type double Pickering emulsion is prepared with modified attapulgite (ATP) and modified Fe3O4. Then, the Pickering emulsion as a template is synthesized ATP/P(EHMA-St)/Fe3O4 composite porous materials. The influences of the amount of inorganic additives-modified ATP, initiator, cross-linking agent, and oil–water ratio on the oil absorption rate and oil retention rate of the material were studied. It showed that under the conditions of polymerization temperature of 80°C and reaction time of 6 h, the morphology of the material was the best and the oil absorption rate was the largest with the content of modified ATP, nano Fe3O4, DVB, and BPO of 0.20%, 0.10%, 1.20%, and 0.32%, respectively, and the oil–water ratio of 1:5. The absorption of diesel oil can reach 986.65%, and the oil retention rate of material can reach 82.37%. Our work provides a novel strategy for the preparation of composite porous materials, which is expected to be popularized and applied in oil spill treatment and oily wastewater treatment. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT