Preparation and modification of antibacterial polyurethane foam for oil-water separation

Polyurethane foam (PUF) has the characteristics of light, loose and polyporous. These characteristics make it play a great role in the adsorption of offshore oil spill. However, the recovery of oil spills in the multi-microbial Marine environment requires not only high adsorption properties of materials, but also efficient antibacterial properties. In this study, we prepared amino acid doped antibacterial polyurethane foam (AA-PUF). Then, polydopamine (PDA) and modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used to modify the surface of polyurethane, and MWCNTs/PDA@AA-PUF with antibacterial property and excellent oil-water separation effect was prepared successfully. The modified AA-PUF had high absorption rate (23 times of self-weight) and could realize cyclic adsorption while preventing bacterial adhesion. These studies indicated that AA-PUF was modified by PDA and MWCNTs which can be used as an efficient oil-water separation material, and it can prevent the adhesion of bacteria. This special material has great potential for practical application in solving oil-water separation in complex environment.