Sustainable one-step electrospinning of 3D nanofiber sponge with ultrahigh oil sorption capacity

In this study, a novel green one-step approach is explored to create a fluffy three-dimensional (3D) electrospun nanofiber sponge. Electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) blend in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) produced lightweight, highly porous, and hydrophobic 3D fiber sponges with an interconnected network. It is believed that the formation of the 3D architecture of the CAB/PAN is attributed to the synergistic interplay between the strong polar polymer-solvent interactions and a solvent evaporation rate, which promoted spatial expansion of fibers during electrospinning. The resulting unique 3D nanofiber sponge demonstrated an outstanding oil sorption capacity of up to 215 g.g- 1 , approximately five times higher than a conventional 2D membrane, along with rapid uptake, strong retention capacity, and excellent reusability. This environmentally friendly and sustainable approach can be upscaled to offer a compelling pathway towards next generation of high-performance sorbents for oil spill cleanup applications. • One-step blend electrospinning produces fluffy three-dimensional (3D) fiber sponges. • Strong polar interactions and solvent evaporation promote spatial fiber expansion. • 3D sponge features an excellent porosity of more than 95%. • Hydrophobic fiber sponges show superior oil absorption over two-dimensional membranes.