Abstract
In the last years, natural fibers are increasingly investigated as an oil recovery system in order to overcome the oil spillage phenomena, thus preserving environment and aquatic life. In particular, lignocellulose-based fibers have recently been employed with promising results. In such a context, the aim of this paper is to assess the oil sorption capability of natural fibers extracted from the stem of the giant reed Arundo donax L., a perennial rhizomatous grass belonging to the Poaceae family that grows naturally all around the world thanks to its ability to tolerate different climatic conditions. Sorption tests in several pollutants and water as a reference were carried out. The fibers have absorption capacities that are about five to six times their weight. Depending on the high absorption kinetics, possible applicative interests can be identified. Eventually, depending on the fiber size, adsorption properties were related to the microstructure and morphology of Arundo donax fibers.
Highlights
Oil represents one of the most important raw material sources for the production of synthetic polymers and chemicals worldwide
The aim of this paper is to assess the oil sorption capability of natural fibers extracted from the stem of the giant reed Arundo donax L., a perennial rhizomatous grass belonging to the Poaceae family that grows naturally all around the world thanks to its ability to tolerate different climatic conditions
Depending on the fiber size, adsorption properties were related to the microstructure and morphology of Arundo donax fibers
Summary
Oil represents one of the most important raw material sources for the production of synthetic polymers and chemicals worldwide. It is worth noting that, up to now, synthetic polymers, mineral materials, and natural biomass-based oil sorbents have been considered as oil sorbent materials Despite synthetic polymers, such as polypropylene [4], polyurethane [5] and methacrylate [6] are considered ideal materials for oil spillage clean-up due to their low density, good hydrophobicity, optimal physical and chemical resistance, and great efficiency in the oil removal from oil–water mixtures. They are made from non-biodegradable and expensive oil by-products. In order to find new eco-friendly materials that are useful for this application, more attention has been focused in the last decades on biomass-based oil sorbents, such as lignocellulosic fibers or particles
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