Development of a new hydrophobic magnetic biochar for removing oil spills on the water surface

Abstract

More technologies are urgently needed for combined use to effectively eliminate the effect of oil spills, an environmental problem of widespread concern. Among these technologies, sorption methods are available to remove residual oil and prevent the further spread on the water surface. In this study, biochars, prepared from different feedstock materials and pyrolysis temperatures, were screened and further modified to improve their application in the water environment. Among cornstalk biochar (CSBC), corncob biochar (CCBC), Sophora sawdust biochar (SSBC), and rice husk biochar (RHBC), the CSBC had excellent oil sorption capacity, especially prepared at 350℃ (CSBC350), which has a complete and full pore structure. Furthermore, magnetic and silane agent modifications of CSBC350 (OMBC) were performed to enhance the properties of the magnetic field controllability and hydrophobicity to increase oil sorption. The OMBC exhibited satisfactory oil sorption capacities to crude oil, diesel oil, and engine oil in the water-oil system of 8.77 g g−1, 4.01 g g−1, and 4.44 g g−1, respectively. The sorption process of CSBC350 and OMBC complied with the pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 > 0.97) and the Langmuir isotherm models (R2 > 0.80) based on the highest regression coefficients. The sorption mechanisms are dominated by hydrophobic forces, pore intercepts, and hydrogen-bond interactions. The biochar adsorbent can availably cooperate with other physical methods to eliminate oil contaminants, which can be an outstanding fuel source for producing heat. Graphical Abstract

Porous Carbon Sponge from White-Rot Fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium for the Removal of Oils and Organic Solvents

“…The adsorption capacities of PCS were competitive to graphene sponges from hydrothermal methods [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Compared to the literature results ( Table 1 ) [ 15 , 16 , 25 , 27 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ], the advantages of white-rot fungi in our study included the following. First, white-rot fungi are common fungus species in nature and grow fast.…”

Aluminum soap nanoparticles-lignin powder form phase-selective gelator: synergistic adsorption and gelation for rapid oil spill recovery

“…The adsorption properties of aluminum soap-lignin gelators were measured in oil-water biphasic mixtures (Sun et al 2022). In brief, 5.0 mL oil was added into a beaker (200 mL) containing 150 mL deionized water to imitate an oil spill scenario.…”

Pristine coconut husk biowaste and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate/methyl acrylate-based novel oleophilic gels for oil spill cleanup

“…The R 2 value is closer to 1.0 for PSO in all the cases, hence, the adsorption process is best fitted in the PSO kinetics model, which implies that there must be some chemical interactions between the sorbate and the sorbent causing the adsorption of oil by polymers. 63 3.3.4. Regeneration studies.…”