Optimizing Melamine Sponges Modified With Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles for Environmental and Industrial Applications
Taochuan Zhang
School of Mechanical Engineering, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
Contribution: Funding acquisition (equal), Investigation (lead), Methodology (lead), Visualization (lead), Writing - original draft (lead)
Search for more papers by this authorLei Han
School of Automobile and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou, China
Contribution: Formal analysis (lead), Investigation (equal), Visualization (equal)
Search for more papers by this authorGuanda Yang
Lehrstuhl für Polymerwerkstoffe, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
Bavarian Polymer Institute, KeyLab Advanced Fiber Technology, Fürth, Germany
Contribution: Methodology (supporting), Software (lead), Writing - review & editing (equal)
Search for more papers by this authorDirk W. Schubert
Lehrstuhl für Polymerwerkstoffe, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
Bavarian Polymer Institute, KeyLab Advanced Fiber Technology, Fürth, Germany
Contribution: Formal analysis (equal), Writing - review & editing (equal)
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Chunmei Duan
School of Mechanical Engineering, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
Correspondence:
Chunmei Duan ([email protected])
Contribution: Conceptualization (lead), Funding acquisition (equal), Resources (lead), Supervision (lead), Writing - review & editing (equal)
Search for more papers by this authorTaochuan Zhang
School of Mechanical Engineering, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
Contribution: Funding acquisition (equal), Investigation (lead), Methodology (lead), Visualization (lead), Writing - original draft (lead)
Search for more papers by this authorLei Han
School of Automobile and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou, China
Contribution: Formal analysis (lead), Investigation (equal), Visualization (equal)
Search for more papers by this authorGuanda Yang
Lehrstuhl für Polymerwerkstoffe, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
Bavarian Polymer Institute, KeyLab Advanced Fiber Technology, Fürth, Germany
Contribution: Methodology (supporting), Software (lead), Writing - review & editing (equal)
Search for more papers by this authorDirk W. Schubert
Lehrstuhl für Polymerwerkstoffe, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
Bavarian Polymer Institute, KeyLab Advanced Fiber Technology, Fürth, Germany
Contribution: Formal analysis (equal), Writing - review & editing (equal)
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Chunmei Duan
School of Mechanical Engineering, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
Correspondence:
Chunmei Duan ([email protected])
Contribution: Conceptualization (lead), Funding acquisition (equal), Resources (lead), Supervision (lead), Writing - review & editing (equal)
Search for more papers by this authorFunding: This work was supported by program for scientific research start-upfunds of Guangdong Ocean University, 060302062311, 060302062315.
ABSTRACT
This study explored the development and characterizations of a lightweight, cost-effective, and easily accessible titanium dioxide (TiO2)/melamine sponge with outstanding hydrophobicity, oil absorption/separation, flame retardancy, durability, and electromagnetic wave absorption capacities. Commercial melamine sponges were modified using the silane coupling agent and TiO2 nanoparticles via a solution-immersion method. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed the structural integrity and surface morphology with increased surface roughness and uniform distribution of TiO2 particles. The hydrophobicity of the TiO2/sponge was confirmed by contact angle measurements, showing a high value of 145°. The oil absorption capacity and separation efficiency were also quantified, with the modified sponges able to absorb oils at 70 to 120 times their weight while maintaining a separation efficiency above 95% even after 10 reuse cycles. Additionally, the TiO2/sponge exhibited excellent flame resistance, strong mechanical abrasion resistance, and stability in saline environments. Electromagnetic absorption tests over the 2–18 GHz range showed efficient absorption, with reflection loss values below −10 dB at higher frequencies for thicker sponges. These results suggest that TiO2/sponge composites provide multifaceted enhancements, making them suitable for various environmental and industrial applications, including oil spill management and electromagnetic radiation mitigation.
Open Research
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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