Photothermal and Concus Finn capillary assisted superhydrophobic fibrous network enabling instant viscous oil transport for crude oil cleanup

Rapid and effective removal of highly viscous oil spills from the sea remains a great challenge globally. Superhydrophobic materials are attractive candidates for handling oil spills, but they are restrained to recover oils with low viscosity exclusively. Herein, we report a novel polypyrrole wrapped superhydrophobic fibrous network using cross-shaped polyester fibers as starting blocks. The polypyrrole coating enables the absorbent to convert light to heat, ensuring that the viscosity of heavy oils in the proximity can be easily controlled. In the meanwhile, the special structure of the starting fibers initiates Concus Finn (CFin) capillary allowing instant oil transport in the network. When the absorbent is exposed to light oils (0–500 mPa.s), the oils can be transported instantly via CFin capillary. Interestingly, under synergistic effect of light-to-heat conversion and CFin capillary, a drawing-sticking crude oil strip (105 mPa.s) is sucked instantly against gravity by the absorbent. The absorbent is successfully applied to efficiently separate both oil/water mixtures and oil/water emulsions (efficiency > 99%). Such absorbent can absorb 62.99–74.23 g/g light oils on average and up to 123.3 g/g crude oil under 0–2 sun illumination, holding a huge potential in managing oil spills. [Display omitted] •A polypyrrole wrapped superhydrophobic fibrous network was created for handling viscous oil spills.•The absorbent enables rapid light-to-heat conversion reducing oils’ viscosity.•The special structure of starting fibers initiates instant Concus Finn oil capillary.•A drawing-sticking crude oil strip (105 mPa.s) was sucked instantly against gravity.•Up to 123.3 g/g crude oil were absorbed under 0–2 sun illumination.