Chinese team designs new graphene-based method to absorb oil spills

Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have shown that graphene-wrapped sponges can provide an effective and fast way to absorb spilled crude oil when heated with an applied electric current.

The team wrapped porous material with a thin graphene layer, put the coated sponge in water mixed with crude oil, and applied an electric current to the graphene to warm it up. The process reduces the viscosity of crude oil, thus speeding up the oil-absorption time, according to reports.