Introduction

The present invention relates to a production process of silicone foams, oleophilic and hydrophobic, comprising carbon nanotubes for water contaminated by oils treatment. The formulation provides the production of a cell system partially or totally open, with a great adsorption capacity and excellent mechanical resistance conferred by the carbonaceous material, giving to the foam a high reusability.

Technical features

The production process of silicone foams comprising carbon nanotubes, comprises the preparation of a solution containing 20-51 wt.% of silane hydride, 28-51 wt.% of silanol, 7-13 wt.% of water, 3- 5 wt.% of ethanol, 2-11 wt.% of carbon nanotubes, having a ratio between hydride end groups and hydroxyl end groups of at least 15, with the addition of 5-15 wt.% of a catalyst capable of triggering a dehydrogenation reaction between the silane hydride and the silanol, in order to obtain siloxane and a release of molecular hydrogen, whereby a silicone foam having a porous structure with partially or totally open cells, with oleophilic and hydrophobic properties, improving oil/water selectivity, is obtained.

Possible Applications

• Water basin treatment;
• Environmental remediation;
• Hydrophobic material spill recovery.

Advantages

• High hydrophobicity;
• High adsorption properties;
• High plastic deformation resistant;
• Oil absorbed recovery by compression;
• High elastic recovery (even after 50 compression cycles);
• Recyclability.