Superoleophillic electrospun POLYSTRENE/exofoliated graphite fibre for selective removal of crude oil from water

Publication date: Available online 30 October 2015 Source:Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C Author(s): S.Oluwagbemiga Alayande, Enock O. Dare, F.O. Grace Olorundare, D. Nkosi, Titus A.M. Msagati, B.B. Mamba During oil spills, the aquatic environment is greatly endangered because oil floats on water making the penetration of sunlight difficult therefore primary productivity is compromised, birds and aquatic organisms are totally eliminated within a short period. It is therefore essential to remove the oil from the water bodies after the spillage. This work reports on the fabrication of oil loving electrospun polystyrene-exofoliated graphite fibre with hydrophobic and oleophillic surface properties. The fibre was applied for the selective adsorption of crude oil from simulated crude oil spillage on water. The maximum oil adsorption capacity of the EPS/EG was 1.15 kg/g in 20 minutes while the lowest oil adsorption capacity was 0.81 kg/g in 10 minutes. Cheap oil adsorbent was developed with superoleophillic and superhydrophobic properties.
Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - Category: Science Source Type: research