A Biomaterial‐Based Porous Core–Shell Sorbent for Practical and Efficient Marine Oil Spill Recovery

Abstract

A core–shell sorbent is developed using natural fibers for marine oil spill recovery. The core of the sorbent is made using coir fibers, which is then covered with a thin layer of shell made from cotton impregnated with a phase selective oleogelator, 12‐hydroxystearic acid. The pore volume that is available for oil uptake amounts to 85–90% of the total volume of the sorbent. When it is introduced to a crude oil–water mixture, the sorbent selectively absorbs the oil instantaneously. The gelator in the shell congeals the oil in the shell matrix, forming a rigid enclosure for the absorbed oil and this allows the collection of the oil‐absorbed sorbents without dripping. The absorbed oil can be recovered quantitatively by simple pressing. The method is general and works with all kinds of crude oils. The cheaply available natural raw materials and easy preparation make this method attractive in terms of economy, reliability, scalability, practicability, and greenness.

Sodium Alginate Aerogel as a Carrier of Organogelators for Effective Oil Spill Solidification and Recovery

“…26 However, because of the poor solubility and slow diffusion rate at ambient temperature, 12-HSA cannot directly solidify the oil phase efficiently when it is applied in an oil spill in powder form. Raju et al 27 prepared a core−shell sorbent with a core made of coir fibers and a shell made of cotton, and then this sorbent was impregnated with 12-HSA. It could absorb the oil phase selectively from the crude oil−water mixture, and then the gelator in the shell solidified the oil in the shell matrix to form a hard enclosure.…”

“…Based on the density of the oil, its volume can be calculated. After determining the pore volume of the GSCG by the displacement method, 27 the volume fraction of GSCG accessible for oil absorption can be calculated. Each experiment was repeated at least three times, and the average value was taken.…”

Reusable Sugar-Based Gelator for Marine Oil-Spill Recovery and Waste Water Treatment

“…The spill of oil in water has a negative effect on the health of animals, humans, and entire ecosystems. At this time, thousands of polymeric, porous thin membranes, gels, and sponge-based oil separation materials are used to purify water. − …”

A β-d-glucose pentaacetate derivative as an efficient phase selective gelator for oil spill recovery

“…7 Since then, significant advances have been made in PSOGs applied in oil spill recovery, and several previous main challenges are gradually being handled. [8][9][10][11] For example, to improve the uniform dispersion of PSOGs in the oil layer, cosolvents are introduced into PSOGs to enhance gelation effectiveness. 12 Moreover, powder PSOGs can be directly applied without cosolvents.…”