An aerogel material formulated by researchers from Memorial University (Canada) and the University of Texas at Arlington shows promise for the quick cleanup of marine oil spills. Most notably, the material is reusable and can also effectively recover oil inadvertently released in cold northern marine environments.

The key to the oil-adsorbing efficacy of the material is the combination of zinc oxide nanoparticles, polyvinyl alcohol, arboxymethyl cellulose and spiropyran, a light-sensitive material. The latter provides a unique property that allows the aerogel to transition between being oil-sorbent and oil-repellent. The resulting spiropyran-assisted cellulose aerogel (CNF-SP aerogel) with ultraviolet (UV)-induced switchable wettability was obtained by subjecting the materials to a simple freeze-drying method.

Source: Science of The Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171451

As described in Science of the Total Environment, the CNF-SP aerogel was demonstrated during testing to function as an oil sorbent under visible light. A subsequent switch to UV mode prompted the photochromic material to release the oil. The engineered sponge was also observed to absorb oil effectively and repeatedly under cold and acidic environmental conditions. Large-scale pilot studies and field evaluations are planned to further advance this oil spill cleanup technology.