Investigating electrospun oil sorbents derived from cigarette filters

Abstract

A highly effective oil sorbent, made from cigarette filters, was produced using a low complexity, single-step process. This was done to address the dual issues of oil pollution and cigarette filter litter. The oil sorption capacity was found for electrospun cellulose acetate sorbents, made from both virgin cellulose acetate and cigarette filters. Not only did the cigarette filter derived sorbent have a higher oil sorption capacity than sorbents found in other studies (with a capacity of 93.7 g/g), but the sorbent was also produced using a less complex and less energy-intensive method. Additionally, the oil sorption capacity for the cigarette filter sorbent was found to be higher than that of a virgin cellulose acetate sorbent. This was thought to be due to the additive, glycerol triacetate (GA), found within the cigarette filters. This means that not only does sourcing the cellulose acetate from cigarette filters tackle cigarette filter pollution, but it also produces a more effective sorbent. Therefore, the cigarette filter derived oil sorbent produced in this study has the potential to be a highly effective, and more sustainable, solution for the remediation of oil pollution.