MXene/Cuttlefish-Ink Nanoparticles Incorporated Dual-Purification Sponge for Solar-Driven Oily Wastewater and...

The escalating severity of microplastic pollution and oily wastewater discharge has intensified the demand for recyclable, multifunctional, and environmentally benign materials. In this study, we present a composite polyurethane (PU) sponge constructed through the synergistic integration of cuttlefish-ink nanoparticles (CINPs), Ti₃C₂T_X MXene, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The synergistic CINP@MXene framework imparts high photothermal conversion efficiency and structural stability, while the PDMS coating confers superhydrophobicity. The resulting sponge demonstrates efficient oil absorption and oil-water separation capabilities, alongside a stable photothermal response, achieving a temperature of 84.1 °C within 10 s under 1.5 Sun irradiation. Notably, the sponge absorbed approximately 0.05 g of crude oil within 10 s, the saturated absorption capacity of crude oil under 1.5 solar days was 24.52 g/g, and the adsorption rate of 5 g crude oil within 4 min was 91.4%. Furthermore, it exhibits remarkable adsorption performance toward common microplastics and nanoplastics. Overall, the CINPs@MXene/PU/PDMS sponge represents a versatile and scalable platform with significant potential for addressing challenges in oily wastewater treatment, solar-assisted oil recovery, and microplastic remediation, thereby contributing to sustainable environmental protection efforts.