Efficiently remove of diesel oil pollutants in the marine environment by a novel biological-C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha: Preparation, mechanism, and application

Abstract

Enteromorpha has large biomass and high specific surface area, and C14H32O3Si can help Enteromorpha achieved hydrophobic and oleophilic. However, the diesel oil adsorption capacity of C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha was limited. Herein, biological modification was adopted to C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha and the diesel oil adsorption capacity was successfully improved. A biological-C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha adsorbent was prepared at first, and the adsorption mechanism of diesel oil was comprehensively analyzed by surface morphology, docking mode, adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm. Last, biological-C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha adsorbent was applied in a small-scale reactor, the diesel oil removal rate and the reusability of adsorbent was studied. The diesel oil adsorption capacity of successful biological modification of C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha was 14.56 g/g, representing a 27.72 % increase. The diesel oil removal capacity improved due to functional groups added and hydrogen bonds formed after the C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha modification. Meanwhile, the mainly diesel oil adsorption process of biological-C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha was chemical adsorption. Furthermore, biological-C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha has efficient and recycling potential for diesel oil adsorption application, which was greater than 80 % diesel oil removal rate after six cycles of adsorption experiments. Our reported biological modification C14H32O3Si-Enteromorpha will provide a new avenue to treat marine oil pollution and contribute to the protection of marine ecological environment.