“Several birds with one stone” strategy of pH/thermoresponsive flame-retardant/photothermal bactericidal oil-absorbing material for recovering complex spilled oil

Although many material designs or strategic methods have been proposed for treating oil spills and oily wastewater, the complex state, dealing with harsh operating conditions of oil–water separation (such as recovery viscous spilled crude oil, bacteria-containing removal under fire), autorecycling absorption materials remain a great challenge. This work an ingenious design strategy “several birds one stone” to prepare pH/thermoresponsive flame-retardant/photothermal bactericidal P-Fe3O4-polydopamine (PDA)@melamine–formaldehyde (MF) foams. makes foams remarkably effective in well emulsions, particularly instant fire extinguishing by magnetically controlled alarms. The photothermal effect pH response induce change surface wettability foams, facilitating excellent autoadsorption/desorption oil. activity fouling resistance foam are beneficial wastewater. Outstanding flame-retardant properties maneuverable magnetic control enable rapidly recover large range fires, extinguish fires instantly, facilitate early warning. is expected inspire further research on conditions.