Adsorption based on natural fibre seems to widely used for oily wastewater recovery due to its low cost, simplicity, feasibility, easy handling, and effectiveness. However, oil sorbent based on natural fibre without modification has low adsorption capacity and selectivity. Thus, this paper proposes chemical modification of sago hampas to improve its adsorbent efficiency for the removal of palm-based cooking oil. The chemical modification was performed using a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The chemical and surface properties of both unmodified and modified sago hampas were characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Parameters studied for the removal of cooking oil using modified sago hampas were sorption time, adsorbent dosage, and initial pH. The removal capacity was also compared using unmodified sago hampas. The results showed that additional functional groups were introduced on the surface of modified sago hampas. Modified sago hampas also showed a greater porosity than unmodified sago hampas. These properties enhanced the adsorption of palm-based cooking oil onto the surface of modified sago hampas. Modified sago hampas shows better removal of palm-based cooking oil than unmodified sago hampas, where 84.82% and 68.08% removal were achieved by modified and unmodified sago hampas, respectively. The optimum adsorption of palm-based cooking oil was identified at 45 min sorption time, pH 2, and 0.2 g adsorbent dosage.

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In emerging countries, heavy metal contamination is becoming more of a problem. Because of poor water and wastewater treatment, as well as increased industrial activities, heavy metal contamination in rivers, lakes, and other water sources has increased in developing countries. Non-ionic surfactants like Triton X-100 and Triton X-114 have been widely utilized to remove heavy metals from water, soil, and sediments via cloud point extraction and soil washing. The effectiveness of non-ionic surfactant to remove heavy metal was determined by the study of effect of the parameters which are pH, surfactant concentration, temperature, and presence of natural organic matter (NOM). Based on the overall study, non-ionic surfactant efficiency in removing heavy metals is strongly reliant on water and soil quality parameters such as pH, surfactant concentration, and temperature, as well as the surfactant's characteristics.