Synthesis and Evaluation of Vitreous Carbon Foams from Sucrose for the Absorption of Crude in Water Sources

Abstract

The purpose of this research was the synthesis and evaluation of reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foams from sucrose, as an environmentally friendly alternative material for the absorption of oil in water. For this, the RVC foams were prepared by polymeric sponge replication method, using as sacrificial template commercial cellulose and polyurethane polymeric sponges with different pore sizes. In this process, the precursor resin was synthesized by polymerization of a sucrose solution (0.4 g/ml) at 120 °C for 6 h in the presence of nitric acid (2x10^-3 N). Subsequently, the templates were impregnated with the resin and cured at 210 °C for 2 h and then carbonized at 900 °C for 1 h in an inert atmosphere. The RVC foams obtained were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and confocal optical microscopy. The oil absorption capacity was determined by flotation and immersion tests according to the ASTM F726-18 standard. The experimental results revealed that the RVC foams showed porosities between 65% and 90%, an absorption capacity between 4.0 and 8.4 g of crude oil/g of foam, which is superior to other materials traditionally employed.