In this work, chemical vapour deposition (CVD) synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and nanofibers on the surface of expanded vermiculite (EV) was used to produce a highly hydrophobic floatable absorvent to remove oil spilled on water. XRD, SEM, TG and Raman spectroscopy showed that the carbon nanotubes and nanofibers grow on FeMo catalyst impregnated on the EV surface to form a "sponge structure". As a result of these carbonaceous nanosponges the absorption of different oils remarkably increased ca. 600% with a concomitant strong decrease of the undesirable water absorption. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.