Super-hydrophobic polyurethane porous materials (PU-Hex) were prepared

via

thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) using PU as raw material and n-hexane as segregation reagent. The surface composition and pore structure of the materials were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and nigrogen adsorption and desorption analysis. The results showed that the benzene rings of PU chain were enriched on the surface

while the pore structure and thermal stability remained unchanged. The surface water contact angle reached as high as 149°. PUHex was capable of absorbing various oils solvents from oil/water mixtures selectively

and the saturated absorption performance reached 11.33 times of its own weight. The adsorption rate of soybean oil by PU-Hex porous materials was 0.199 g·g

-1

·min

-1

larger than that of original PU porous materials. The afterward fabricated tubular PU-Hex porous materials could demulsificate emulsion rapidly

and clean water was separated from the emulsion. Moreover

the separation performance of the tubules restored quickly and easily

rendering them desirable candidates for oil-water emulsion treatment.