3D macroscopic superhydrophobic magnetic porous carbon aerogel converted from biorenewable popcorn for selective oil-water separation

Effective transformation of biorenewable biomass to high-performance carbon aerogel furnished a promising approach to the evolution of sorbents for selective oil-water separation. Here, 3D macroscopic superhydrophobic magnetic porous carbon aerogel (3DSMPC) was first prepared via a facile carbonization/magnetization process using biorenewable popcorn as the raw material and sequent surface modification. The 3DSMPC exhibited a low density of 0.095 g cm^{− 3}, transcendent magnetic saturation value of 3.3 emu g^{− 1}, and outstanding superhydrophobic property with static water contact angle of 151.6^°, and remarkable selective adsorption for fuel oil, organic solvent and edible oil from water. Furthermore, 3DSMPC showed splendid adsorption characteristics, for instance, the best sample exhibited maximum adsorption capacities of 10.02, 10.83 and 10.28 g g^{− 1} for engine oil, chloroethane, and corn oil, respectively. In addition, the 3DSMPC show excellent reutilization due to organic pollutants adsorbed could be retrieved through the simple distillation. The light and superhydrophobic 3DSMPC made attractive candidates in potential applications in selective oil-water separation.