Biomass-Based Sorbent with Superoleophilic from Ulva Prolifera for Oil Spill Cleanup

In this study, we demonstrate a new all bio-based adsorbent material by treating Enteromorpho prolifera (EP) fibers with tannic acid-ferric chloride complex and then grafting hydrophobic group octadecylamine. All raw materials are easily available, low-cost, and safe. The modified EP fibers have approximately 63.4 g g-1 of oil absorption and 1.4 g g-1 of water absorption, which is an 62.8% increase in oil absorption and an 82% increase in hydrophobicity over that of untreated EP fibers, respectively, exhibiting high hydrophobicity and oleophilicity. The affinity discrimination to water and oil enables hydrophobic algae candidate materials to separate oils and water efficiently, both in an oil-water mixture and a water-in-oil emulsion. In summary, the as-synthesized modified EP demonstrates a broad application prospect in the treatment of oil spill accidents and oily wastewater.