To improve the oleophilic/hydrophobic properties of polyurethane (PU) foams for oil spill cleanup, PU
samples were modified by grafting with oleophilic monomer Lauryl methacrylate (LMA) in solvent
and/or coating with LMA microspheres through heating and curing. Modified PU cubes were characterized
by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR). The water sorption of modified PU cubes was decreased by 24–50%, while the diesel or
kerosene sorption of modified PU cubes was increased by 18–27%. In water–oil system, compared with
blank PU cubes, the sorption capacity of PU cubes grafted with LMA was increased by 44% for diesel
and 100% for kerosene. The sorption capacity of PU cubes coated with LMA microspheres was increased
by 20% for diesel and 7% for kerosene. The solvent sorption of modified PU cubes could reach 50–69 g/g.
The modified PU cubes can be effectively used in oil/solvent spill cleanup