Synthesis of unzipped multi-walled carbon nanotube oxides coated polyurethane foam and its application in wastewater treatment

Unzipped multi-walled carbon nanotube oxides (UMCNOs) were prepared from multi-walled carbon nanotubes by using oxidative unzipping method. Different concentrations of UMCNOs were coated on polyurethane (PU) foam through dip coating method. Changes in the surface texture of the polyurethane foam after coating with UMCNOs was observed using SEM analysis. The UMCNOs- PU foam exhibited good hydrophobicity with a maximum water contact angle (WCA) of 128 degrees for the PU sample coated with 2% (w/v) UMCNOs. The UMCNOs-PU foams were found to be effective absorbent for oil and organic solvents, with the absorption capacity, varies between 15 and 27 g/g. A maximum of 99.64% dye removal was observed in PU foam coated with 2% (w/v) UMCNOs as analyzed by UV-VIS analysis. Water contact angle of UMCNOs-2.0PU foam decreased after each recycle experiment and its characteristics were analyzed using FTIR.