Abstract
Environmental pollution by petroleum products represents a critical global challenge, necessitating the development of efficient, sustainable, and reusable remediation technologies. Sorption is widely recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly methods for oil spill cleanup. This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of polyurethane (PU) sorbents, focusing on their structural morphology, sorption capacity, and performance under varying environmental conditions. We examine recent advancements in patent developments, ranging from basic porous architectures to nanomodified matrices and stimuli-responsive "smart" sorbents. Furthermore, the article evaluates the trade-offs between mechanical strength, sorption efficiency, and reusability, while addressing the challenges of scaling laboratory prototypes to real-world industrial applications. The study highlights the role of polyurethane sorbents in promoting a circular economy and outlines future research trajectories, including the shift toward bio-based synthesis and integrated autonomous collection systems.