A Biomaterial‐Based Porous Core–Shell Sorbent for Practical and Efficient Marine Oil Spill Recovery

Abstract

AbstractA core–shell sorbent is developed using natural fibers for marine oil spill recovery. The core of the sorbent is made using coir fibers, which is then covered with a thin layer of shell made from cotton impregnated with a phase selective oleogelator, 12‐hydroxystearic acid. The pore volume that is available for oil uptake amounts to 85–90% of the total volume of the sorbent. When it is introduced to a crude oil–water mixture, the sorbent selectively absorbs the oil instantaneously. The gelator in the shell congeals the oil in the shell matrix, forming a rigid enclosure for the absorbed oil and this allows the collection of the oil‐absorbed sorbents without dripping. The absorbed oil can be recovered quantitatively by simple pressing. The method is general and works with all kinds of crude oils. The cheaply available natural raw materials and easy preparation make this method attractive in terms of economy, reliability, scalability, practicability, and greenness.