Hot Water Treatment on Nettle Fibers: An Environment-Friendly/Economical Process for the Production of Oil Sorbent

ABSTRACT

In this work, “green” oil sorbent was prepared from nettle fibers by hot water treatment. Effects of hot water treatment temperature, oil-sorbent contact time and reusability on oil absorbency were investigated systematically. Maximum oil absorbency of 15.89 g/g against engine oil and 13.10 g/g against diesel oil was achieved at hot water treatment temperature 100°C and oil-sorbent contact time 15 min. SEM was used to characterize the surface morphology and FTIR confirmed the chemical changes after hot water treatment. Thermal stability of the nettle fibers before and after hot water treatment was analyzed by TGA. A comparison of oil sorption capacity of nettle fibers treated with different solvents/chemicals is also presented. This work demonstrates that hot water-treated nettle fibers are an economical and eco-friendly biosorbent for oil spill removal applications.

摘要

以荨麻纤维为原料，采用热水处理的方法制备了“绿色”吸油剂. 系统地研究了热水处理温度、吸油剂接触时间和重复使用性对吸油性能的影响. 在热水处理温度为100℃、吸油剂接触时间为15分钟时，对发动机油的最大吸油量为15.89 g/g，对柴油的最大吸油量为13.10 g/g. 利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对其表面形貌进行了表征，并用红外光谱(FTIR)对热水处理后的化学变化进行了验证. 采用TGA分析了荨麻纤维在热水处理前后的热稳定性. 还比较了不同溶剂/化学品处理后荨麻纤维的吸油能力. 结果表明，热水处理的荨麻纤维是一种经济、环保的生物防溢剂.

KEYWORDS:

• Oil sorbent
• nettle
• hot water treatment
• oil sorption capacity
• cellulosic fiber

关键词:

• 关键词
• 石油吸附剂
• 荨麻
• 热的水处理
• 石油吸附能力
• 纤维素纤维

Acknowledgments

The authors thank M/s University Grant Commission (UGC), Government of India for Sponsoring this Project under UGC Major Research Scheme (F.No-43-158/2014).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University Grants Commission [F.No-43-158/2014].