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In this work, a series of polymer materials including pomelo peel, cotton fabric, polyurethane foam, and so on, are treated by heated CH 3 SiCl 3 , presenting desirable photo-thermal conversion function and hydrophobicity. As a representative material, the surface element and skeleton morphology of pomelo peel foam treated by CH 3 SiCl 3 are analyzed detailedly. It is found that well-hydrophobicity (water contact angle of ~147°) and photo-thermal conversion performance (~91.2 °C under one sun) are attributed to the surface carbonization reaction and formation of CH 3 -SiO 2 nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the treatment of CH 3 SiCl 3 significantly increases the BET surface area to 3.0635 m²/g from 0.0973 m²/g. Therefore, pomelo peel-derived carbon foam presents a desirable adsorption capacity of organic solvents and oils (up to 43.2 times its original weight) and excellent removal efficiency (>99.0%). In addition, the rapid photo-thermal response (achieve ~73 °C at 40 s) and high equilibrium temperature (~91.2 °C) are als° demonstrated in pomelo peel-derived carbon foam. As a result, the absorption rate of highly-viscous oils is effectively promoted by the higher fluidity and capillary action caused by the solar-promoted mechanism. This study offers a scalable, easily operated, and environmentally friendly approach to prepare hydrophobic and photo-thermal materials, thus demonstrating a huge potential in oil/water separation application. [Display omitted] • The well-hydrophobic and photothermal performance are obtained simultaneously. • This preparation method is easily operated and environmentally friendly. • The preparation method has wide feasibility in many polymer materials. • A desirable absorption capacity of organic solvents is presented. • The absorption of highly-viscous oils is promoted by solar-thermal conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]