Enhanced oil-water separation by affordable and eco-friendly candle soot-wax coated sponges

Abstract Economic and eco-friendly superhydrophobic sponges were readily fabricated by coating a Candle Soot-Wax composite for efficient oil–water separation. For this, the candle soot was extracted from the combustion of a paraffin candle and deposited onto sponges using wax through a dip-coating process. This leads to the adhesion of candle soot and produces competent superhydrophobic sponges. It exhibits a water contact angle of >150° that informs remarkable surface superhydrophobicity. Also, its superiority was tested with several parameters, including thermal stability, pH tolerance, compression tolerance, chemical durability, reusability, etc, that offer satisfactory results besides validating its superhydrophobic nature. Furthermore, its superhydrophobic tolerance was tested for anti-wetting properties, cross-sectional cutting, pressing, paper peel test, and abrasion resistance. Therefore, it proved that this simple candle soot-wax coating technology has practical capabilities for coating large surfaces. This promising material can work as a distinct and economical oil–water separator, which will help to prevent massive environmental pollution caused by oil spills in water.