Facile synthesis of marshmallow-like macroporous gels usable under harsh conditions for the separation of oil and water

Abstract

Soaking up s'more: Marshmallow-like flexible gels synthesized from organoalkoxysilanes by a facile process show superior oil/water separation properties. The gels are superhydrophobic and can be used to remove organic compounds from water through absorption; they can then be recovered by squeezing them out of the gel, as if it were a sponge. The gel retains flexibility over a wide temperature range, even in liquid nitrogen (see photo). Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.