Recent Developments and Advancements in Graphene-Based Technologies for Oil Spill Cleanup and Oil–Water Separation Processes

Abstract

The vast demand for petroleum industry products led to the increased production of oily wastewaters and has led to many possible separation technologies. In addition to production-related oily wastewater, direct oil spills are associated with detrimental effects on the local ecosystems. Accordingly, this review paper aims to tackle the oil spill cleanup issue as well as water separation by providing a wide range of graphene-based technologies. These include graphene-based membranes; graphene sponges; graphene-decorated meshes; graphene hydrogels; graphene aerogels; graphene foam; and graphene-coated cotton. Sponges and aerogels modified by graphene and reduced graphene oxide demonstrated effective oil water separation owing to their superhydrophobic/superoleophilic properties. In addition, oil particles are intercepted while allowing water molecules to penetrate the graphene-oxide-coated metal meshes and membranes thanks to their superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic properties. Finally, we offer future perspectives on oil water separation that are hindering the advancements of such technologies and their large-scale applications.

Biomass-based graphene aerogel for the removal of emerging pollutants from wastewater

“…The porous structure of graphene aerogels enables the efficient filtration and separation of contaminants, whereas their chemical stability favors the long-term performance. 65 Moreover, graphene aerogels exhibit inherent antimicrobial activity which prevents biofilm formation and growth of bacteria, making them suitable for the removal of bacteria and microbial contaminants from water sources. 19,66 Graphene aerogels are continuously explored in water remediation as they are promising materials for addressing the challenges associated with water pollution and ensuring access to clean and safe water resources.…”

Recent advances in the applications of graphene materials for the oil and gas industry

“…6,7 However, some reviews only focus on one aspect of graphene-based materials in the oil recovery industry, focusing on the application of graphene nanocomposites in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), 8 and some on the application in oil–water separation or in the removal of aromatic organic compounds from water. 9–11 Some reviews do not include only graphene-based materials, but address the whole range of nanomaterials and are oriented only towards applications in drilling fluids, with a focus on functionalized nanomaterials, 12 applications of materials whose feedstock is waste. 13 As well as the influence of their performance factors.…”

Super-hydrophobic silane functional cardanol based sustainable polybenzoxazine-silica hybrids: Thermal, flame resistant and oil-water separation properties

“…Enthused by natural sources, synthetic super-hydrophobic materials are extensively created by combining low surface free energy materials with appropriate nano and micro structures. Organo-silane [14][15][16][17], uoro-polymer [18][19][20][21], uoro-silane [22][23], long alkyl spacer [5,[24][25][26], SiO 2 nanoparticles [3][4][5][25][26][27][28], graphene [29][30][31], and polybenzoxazine [1-5, 24, 25] are extensively alarmed sorts of materials with lower value of surface energy and are agreed to construct super-hydrophobic surfaces in the industry and academia for various applications.…”