Polystyrene/carbon nanofiber separation composition

Abstract

The invention is directed to use of polystyrene wastes, such as Styrofoam® wastes, and carbon nanofibers to produce a highly hydrophobic composition or composite that can separate oil and water.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the surface of the composition has a surface area ranging from 50 to 100 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         11 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein a wt. %/wt. % ratio of polystyrene to carbon nanofibers ranges from about 1:5 to about 1:10. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein a wt. %/wt. % ratio of polystyrene to carbon nanofibers ranges from >1:10 to about 1:50. 
     
     
         17 . A composition, comprising:
 polystyrene impregnated with carbon nanofibers, wherein a wt. %/wt. % ratio of polystyrene to carbon nanofibers ranges from 1:50 to 1:5 and wherein a surface of the composition has a water contact angle ranging from 80° to 160°.   
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the polystyrene is post-consumer waste polystyrene that is contaminated with between 0.001 and 0.1 wt % of sugar, starch, protein, nucleic acid, lipid or food component; paint, ink or dye; or paper or non-polystyrene plastic contaminant. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the polystyrene is expanded or extruded polystyrene. 
     
     
         20 . A sheet, membrane or filter comprising the composition of  claim 17 . 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the wt. %/wt. % ratio of polystyrene to carbon nanofibers is 1:5. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein an electroactive surface area is 139 cm 2 . 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein carbon nanofibers are present as elevated areas of agglomerate islands on the surface of the polystyrene. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the polystyrene comprises from 0.001 to 0.1 wt % of each of a sugar, a starch, a protein, a nucleic acid, a lipid, a paint, an ink, and a dye.