Hydrophobic Cellulose-Based Sorbents for Oil/Water Separation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Growing environmental concerns necessitate sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials for oil-water separation.
• Cellulose-based absorbents are eco-friendly but require enhanced hydrophobicity for efficient oil-water separation applications.
• Developing biodegradable materials is crucial for addressing pollution and promoting circular economy principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To hydrophobize cellulose-based sorbents derived from Kraft and BCTMP pulps.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of silanization and AKD techniques in enhancing hydrophobic properties.
• To assess the performance of modified cellulose sorbents in oil-water separation and water vapor absorption.

Main Methods:

• Cellulose-based sorbents were prepared from Kraft and BCTMP pulps.
• Hydrophobization was achieved using silanization with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS), n-octyltriethoxysilane (NTES), and N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (AATMS), and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) techniques.
• Water contact angles, water sorption capacity, oil sorption capacity, and water vapor absorption were measured.

Main Results:

• Successfully imparted hydrophobic properties with water contact angles between 120° and 140°.
• Significantly reduced water sorption capacity to below 1 g/g while maintaining high oil sorption capacity (19-28 g/g).
• MTMOS- and AATMS-silanized samples showed the most substantial reduction in water vapor absorption (3-6%).

Conclusions:

• Hydrophobized cellulose-based sorbents demonstrate significant potential as sustainable materials for oil-water separation.
• These materials offer an eco-friendly alternative to conventional synthetic sorbents, contributing to cleaner water treatment solutions.
• The study highlights the efficacy of silanization techniques in tailoring cellulose properties for environmental remediation applications.