Envelopes with microplastics generated from recycled plastic bags for crude oil sorption

Abstract

Oil spill accidents in marine environments and the lack of disposal of post‐consumer plastic are environmental problems worldwide. This study presents a sustainable alternative for both issues through envelopes filled with microplastics (MPs) from recycled bags for the sorption of spilled crude oil. Through particle size analysis by three different sieves (4, 9, and 20 mesh), different MP sizes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), density, contact angle (CA), and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). According to their sizes, the MPs were distributed in envelopes and submitted to crude oil sorption capacity and efficiency evaluation. Three MP particle sizes were obtained (from the largest to the smallest, according to the sieve mesh, MP4, MP9, and MP20). SEM images of samples exhibited irregular and porous surfaces, and MP4 had the smallest pore size (8.6 μm). BET showed that MP4 had the highest surface area (0.074 m2/g). The CA > 90° exposed that all samples were hydrophobic. FTIR spectrum demonstrated that the samples from the recycled bags were made of high density polyethylene (HDPE). The MP4 envelopes also had the best crude oil sorption results in capacity and efficiency (1.73 g/g and 68%, respectively), being a promising recycled sorbent in crude oil spillage applications.

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“…It may be possible that the oil is trapped in the porous interior structure of the GTL powder. The results of this research agree with previous research by Li et al who reported that a PLA fiber mat can remove the motor, crude, and diesel oils from water 35 and Martins et al also reported that plastic bag waste can adsorb crude oils 36 . Moreover, the oil sorption capacity of the composite fibers tends to increase slightly after adding a masterbatch of Ag/GTL.…”

“…The results of this research agree with previous research by Li et al who reported that a PLA fiber mat can remove the motor, crude, and diesel oils from water 35 and Martins et al also reported that plastic bag waste can adsorb crude oils. 36 Moreover, the oil sorption capacity of the composite fibers tends to increase slightly after adding a masterbatch of Ag/GTL. Particularly, the PLA-3 composite fiber showed the highest oil sorption capacity at up to 9.08 g/g.…”