Facile Synthesis of Marshmallow‐like Macroporous Gels Usable under Harsh Conditions for the Separation of Oil and Water

Soaking up s’more: Marshmallow-like flexible gels synthesized from organoalkoxysilanes by a facile process show superior oil/water separation properties. The gels are superhydrophobic and can be used to remove organic compounds from water through absorption; they can then be recovered by squeezing them out of the gel, as if it were a sponge. The gel retains flexibility over a wide temperature range, even in liquid nitrogen (see photo).