Phase-selective sorbent xerogels as reclamation agents for oil spills.

12-Hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) xerogels derived from 12-HSA-acetronitrile organogels are highly effective sorbent materials capable of adsorbing apolar, spilled materials in aqueous environments. 12-HSA xerogels made from 12-HSA-acetronitrile organogels are more effective than 12-HSA xerogels made from 12-HSA-pentane organogels because of the highly branched fibrillar networks established in acetonitrile molecular gels. This difference arises because of dissimilarities in the network structure between 12-HSA in various solvents. These xerogels, being thermoreversible, allow for both the spilled oil to be reclaimed but also the gelator may be reused to engineer new xerogels for oil spill containment and cleanup.