Fabrication of Oil-Absorbing Porous Sponges via 3D Electrospinning of Recycled Expanded Polystyrene with Functional Additive

Abstract

In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) porous sponge capable of oil–water separation was fabricated using recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) through 3D electrospinning, by adding phosphoric acid to the electrospinning solution. The fabrication process was a rapid and efficient single-step process to produce the 3D sponge. In addition, the additive’s concentration was also optimized for oil absorption. The fabricated EPS sponge was highly effective in oil–water separation due to its excellent hydrophobic and oleophilic properties. This demonstrates its potential as a sustainable and efficient absorbent to address ongoing oil pollution issues. Moreover, the performance of the recycled EPS sponge was found to be comparable to that of sponges made from virgin polystyrene, suggesting the feasibility of using recycled materials for the production of high-value products. This research presents an efficient method for fabricating 3D sponges from recycled materials, contributing to environmental protection and resource recycling.