An oil spill can have devastating impact on the environment and it’s this daunting task of cleaning up the mess, which prompted researchers at MIT to develop a nanowire paper that could be an ideal tool for moping up oil spills.
The ‘paper’ is made from an interlacing mesh of nanowires that can absorb up to 20 times its weight in oil. The paper is made of potassium manganese oxide and can resist high temperatures. As a result, oil within a loaded membrane can be recovered by simply heating it. The oil can be used again and the paper can be recycled many times for future use.
The system works in a simple way. The nanowires form a tight mat with tiny pores that absorb liquids. Oil, seep into the membrane but water is kept out from penetrating into the membrane by a water-repelling coating. The new material is completely impervious to water. It can be left in water for months and when you take it out it’s still dry.
The traditional methods for cleaning up oil spills are booms, skimmers, and chemical dispersant. Every method has its advantages and disadvantages but it’s the versatility of the nanowire paper that makes it a perfect tool to tackle a major environmental challenge.
Via: eurekalert
