Russian researchers create reusable polymer film that absorbs oil from water surface

Scientists from St. Petersburg State University (SPbU) have developed an innovative, lightweight, buoyant and reusable polymer film that can effectively absorb oil products from the surface of contaminated waters, according to Xinhua. The new material promises to provide a practical and inexpensive solution to combat oil pollution, a major problem in Russia and many other countries. The discovery was presented at a recent scientific dinner, and the university published a detailed statement.

According to researchers from the Faculty of Advanced Engineering at SPbU, the polymer film: remains stable on the water surface even in conditions of strong waves; withstands wind action; can be used repeatedly without significant loss of performance.

The material is designed to absorb light and medium oil products and looks like a white, non-woven synthetic sheet made of ultrafine fibers with a thickness of less than one micron, which gives it a porous structure similar to a sponge. As it absorbs oil, the film changes color, initially white, gradually becoming dark gray, then completely black when saturation is reached. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation estimates that approximately 10,000 oil spills occur annually in the country. Most incidents are caused by: accidents during shipping, collisions between ships, discharges of wastewater, intentional spills.

The ecological impact is major: oil fatally affects fish, birds and marine mammals and has long-term consequences for aquatic and coastal ecosystems. In this context, efficient and easy-to-use sorbents are essential in rapid response operations.

The material was tested on: crude oil, various petroleum fractions, motor oil. The results are promising: up to 40 g of motor oil absorbed per gram of material, about 20 g of crude oil per gram of material, as stated by Anastasia Nosova, a recognized specialist in the field of smart ecological technologies and professor at SPbU. A major advantage of the film is the low cost of raw materials, although the film is a derivative of oil, its production remains affordable. The researchers emphasized its ability to be quickly reused: after absorption, the film can be squeezed out, washed and applied again. After five cleaning cycles, the efficiency drops by only 15-20%, remaining at a level considered excellent for practical applications. Due to its buoyancy, wave resistance and low cost, the new polymer film could become a useful tool for: oil spill response teams, oil companies, environmental authorities, ports and shipping operators.

The results obtained by the SPbU team are part of the global direction of innovation in sorbent materials, aimed at reducing the impact of ecological catastrophes caused by fossil fuels.