Preparation of surfactant modified inorganic nanofibers for the removal of oily compounds from water

Oily compounds threat people’s health and aquatic life due to their toxic nature. In this project, surfactant grafted functionalized mesoporous silica nanofiber with the aim of separating the oil spillage was synthesized. Firstly, the electrospun mesoporous silica nanofiber was functionalized by [۳-(۲, ۳- Epoxypropoxy)-propyl]-trimethoxysilane in an alkali condition. Secondly, the ۴-nonylphenol as a surfactant was grafted onto the surface of functionalized mesoporous silica nanofiber. The grafting yield of surfactant on the surface of functionalized mesoporous silica nanofiber was evaluated. Then by using the BET analysis, the nanofibre surface area was investigated, and finally, optimum conditions with respect to the grafting yield of ۴-nonylphenol and BET analysis were reported. In order to characterize the synthesized nanofibers, FTIR, SEM, and AFM analyses were used. The pore size distribution of synthesized nanofibers was investigated by the BJH method.The results showed that the [۳-(۲, ۳- Epoxypropoxy)-propyl]-trimethoxysilane and surfactant were attached to the nanofiber surface through the covalent linkages. SEM images exhibited the deposition of a dense layer on the surface of grafted nanofibers. Moreover, AFM analysis revealed that the surface of the nanofiber became rough after the functionalization and grafting processes. In order to evaluate the superhydrophobic properties of nanofibers, contact angle analyses were investigated. The synthesized absorbent showed a high absorption capacity of ۱۲۸.۱ and ۱۰۲.۳ g/g for heavy motor oil and diesel fuel, respectively. The absorbed oil was easily removed by vacuum filtration and the nanofiber could be reused for several cycles while keeping high absorption capacity

Keywords:

Superhydrophobic surface , [۳-(۲ , ۳- Epoxypropoxy)-propyl]-trimethoxysilane , Oil absorption , Water/oil separation