Sorbent

A sorbent is an insoluble material that either absorbs or adsorbs liquids[1] or gases.

[2] They are frequently used to remove pollutants and in the cleanup of chemical accidents[3] and oil spills.

Some of the most common sorbents used to clean oil spills are made from materials that are both oleophilic and hydrophobic, have high surface area through structural designs that include pores and capillaries, and draw in liquid through capillary action.

[1] Sorbents may be used to collect undesirable ions and act like a reusable ion-exchange resin, composed of charged layers of material that can be heated or otherwise treated to remove pollutants.

[10] In this and similar cases, pollutant particles are attracted to the sorbent through electrostatic forces.