Due to its low apparent density, excellent mechanical stability, high
porosity, and hydrophobicity/superoleophilicity, the CNF aerogel is
an ideal candidate for the sorption of oils and other organic pollutants.
When a small piece of the CNF aerogel was placed on the
surface of oil-water mixtures, the oil layer (dyed with Sudan III) immediately started shrinking and disappeared completely after a
few minutes (Fig. 3a).