Hollow carbon beads fabricated by phase inversion method for efficient oil sorption

Hollow carbon beads of around 3.0 mm in diameter were prepared by a simple phase inversion method and subsequent carbonisation. Due to the low density and hydrophobic property, the hollow carbon beads were floatable on water. Different organic solvents and oils were used to study the oil sorption properties of the carbon beads. Their toluene sorption capacity was as high as 55% of their own volume. For long-chain oil like motor oil, the hollow carbon beads still adsorbed 40% of their volume. In addition, the hollow carbon beads could be refreshed by heat treatment, and the oil sorption capacity remained the same after being recycled five times. This work provides a facile and low-cost method for preparing highly efficient carbon-based sorbents for oil spill clean-up.