Crude Oil Absorption Research Articles

Synthesis of magnetic polystyrene nanocomposite by emulsion polymerization using a photo-responsive emulsifier for efficient crude oil absorption

Both human health and marine life are seriously threatened by crude oil spills into bodies of water. For effective crude oil spill cleaning, we created a magnetic polystyrene (m-PS) nanocomposite. The use of magnetic nanoparticles makes crude oil absorption more environmentally friendly by making it easier to collect and recycle using an external magnetic field. To make Fe3O4 nanoparticles compatible with the hydrophobic styrene monomer used in emulsion polymerization, they were treated using a hydrophobic surface modification reaction. This alteration facilitated the grafting of polystyrene (PS) chains onto the nanoparticles, which then underwent emulsion polymerization. As an emulsifier, a light-responsive amphiphilic block copolymer containing coumarin was created via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. This allowed for regulated emulsification and demulsification in response to UV stimulation. The synthesized m-PS nanocomposite demonstrated a crude oil absorption capacity of up to 2.31 times of its own weight, indicating its high efficiency for crude oil spill cleanup. The synthetic emulsifier exhibited a significantly lower critical micelle concentration compared to the commercial P105 emulsifier (0.0976 against 0.354 mg/mL, respectively), indicating higher efficiency and reduced environmental impact. For a more thorough comprehension of the reported results, we also assessed the Hofmeister effect in PS produced using commercial and synthetic emulsifiers.

Remediation of seawater polluted by oil spills via integrating porous materials with phase-change materials

The cleanup of viscous oil spills, especially in frigid regions, presents significant challenges due to the low fluidity of the oil. While the integration of absorption materials with photo/electric thermal conversion has shown significant promise, its effectiveness can be greatly influenced by environmental factors. To address these challenges, this study introduces an innovative solution: three-dimensional porous materials (3D-PMs) combined with phase change materials (PCMs). By utilizing energy pre-stored in PCMs through sunlight irradiation or electric heating, heat can be efficiently released when 3D-PMs come into contact with crude oil. A novel superhydrophobic melamine sponge (PPCPP@MS), composed of polypyrrole (PPy) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), has been developed for this purpose. The PPy polymerization layer reliably converts light/electricity into heat, while the PEG‑carbon nanotube (CNT) composite coating layer facilitates heat storage and release. This innovative design significantly enhances safety, energy utilization efficiency, and operational effectiveness. Furthermore, COMSOL simulation was employed to the interfacial heat transfer and phase transformation process of PPCPP@MS during crude oil absorption. Demonstrating stable heat release and oil-adsorbing performance in simulated low-temperature marine environments, PPCPP@MS exhibits great potential for addressing oil spills in extreme climates. The innovative design of PPCPP@MS offers crucial insights for managing viscous oil spills, particularly in frigid regions, providing a promising approach in environmental protection and remediation efforts.

Quantification of seepage characteristics in shale oil reservoirs: A triple medium model-driven approach

Shale oil is an important unconventional oil and gas resource depicting a complex microstructure with various pore types and fluid distribution. In particular, the fluid flow mechanism and the associated percolation characterization theory have recently gained notable interest. Here we establish a mathematical model to describe non-wetting and wetting phase imbibition in shale oil formation. The model is based on the triple continuum medium theory taking into account the wetting characteristics of the shale/oil/brine system, the percolation processes in inorganic and organic pores, and the dynamic process of adsorption and absorption of crude oil in kerogen. The experimental results of oil and water imbibition were fitted thereby obtaining seepage physical parameters and validating the realiability of the proposed model. The impact of physical properties (e.g. inorganic and organic permeability, equivalent cross-flow coefficient, and diffusion coefficient) on the dynamic characteristics of the imbibition process was also evaluated. The results show that the inorganic permeability is between 10−7–10−4μm2 and the organic permeability is between 10−10–10−6μm2. The imbibition rate demonstrates a positive correlation with inorganic and organic permeability, equivalent cross-flow coefficient, and diffusion coefficient. The larger the difference between inorganic and organic permeability, the more pronounced the “bi-horizontal segment” feature of the shale oil imbibition saturation curve. The proposed model effectively calculates the reserves in both organic and inorganic pores, thereby addressing the time-consuming challenges associated with experimentally obtaining seepage parameters. This study thus provides a theoretical basis for precisely evaluating fluid flow in shale oil reservoirs.

Efficient solar-driven crude oil cleanup via graphene/cellulose aerogel with radial and centrosymmetric design

Frequent oil spills pose significant threats to ecosystems; therefore, strict requirements are needed for prompt remediation and reclamation of spilled oil. Influenced by the structure of coniferous trees and their water transport, this experiment used cellulose nanofiber (CNF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) to prepare radially centrosymmetric aerogels. By utilizing the in-situ polycondensation reaction of MTMS, CNF, and PVA were connected, and the hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of the aerogel were greatly enhanced. Furthermore, the introduction of graphene oxide (GO), enshrouded within the cross-linked network, engenders heightened photo-thermal effects. The resultant composite aerogel exhibits expeditious oil absorption under solar irradiation and radial layered channel architecture, significantly curtailing the crude oil absorption timeframe (achieving a maximum absorption capacity of 51.7 g/g). Moreover, it demonstrates superior performance in rapidly and repeatedly adsorbing highly viscous crude oil, surpassing existing literature. Notably, continuous absorption of high-viscosity crude oil is achieved by integrating the composite aerogel with a peristaltic pump. This study offers a novel approach to the absorption and retrieval of high-viscosity crude oil, broadening the potential application horizons of CNF-based aerogels within environmental remediation.

Absorption of Crude Oil from Water Surface Using Shells of Periwinkle, Thales (Ngolo) and Oyster

Absorption of Crude Oil from Water Surface Using Shells of Periwinkle, Thales (Ngolo) and Oyster

Construction of PPS based carbon fiber photothermal foam for crude oil absorption and seawater desalination

Efficient and clean solar energy conversion through photothermal materials has garnered significant attention, finding applications across energy, environmental protection, and healthcare sectors. This project focused on developing waste PPS-based carbon fiber (PCF) foam, emphasizing the high-value utilization of waste fibers in solar photothermal oil-absorption and photothermal evaporation applications. With exceptional light-absorption capabilities exceeding 97 %, the PCF@PDMS foam demonstrated superior photothermal conversion efficiency alongside impressive mechanical properties, facilitating effective absorption of highly viscous crude oil. Through PVA/CNF hydrophilic modification, internal water supply channels were integrated into the mPCF@PDMS foam, optimizing the evaporation surface area by retaining hydrophobic regions. This design not only enhanced thermal insulation but also significantly increased the evaporation rate to 2.00 kg·m−2·h−1 with an efficiency of 89.89 % under 1.0 sun irradiation. The presence of hydrophobic regions endowed the evaporator with self-floating ability, enhancing its practicality. During simulations of seawater desalination, the prepared evaporator exhibited remarkable salt crystallization resistance attributed to the strong water supply capacity and Marangoni effect induced during saltwater evaporation, facilitating salt diffusion and water evaporation. Overall, the foams developed in this project hold substantial application potential in the realm of photothermal technology.

Solar-driven, highly-efficient, and environmentally-friendly oil spill cleanup by a superelastic photothermal thermoplastic polyurethane monolith with aligned channels

Cleanup of crude oil spills is challenging due to its high viscosity. Reducing the viscosity of crude oil by elevating its temperature and thus promoting absorption is considered a promising and environmentally-friendly way to address this worldwide issue. Herein, we propose a photothermal superelastic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based monolith with aligned channels successively modified with MXene and polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) (P-MXene@TPU) for crude oil absorption and recovery. The well-oriented structures help reduce mass transfer hindrance and accelerate heat transfer, while MXene and PDMS endow the monolith with excellent photothermal conversion property and hydrophobicity, respectively. P-MXene@TPU monolith demonstrates superior oil absorption performance under solar irradiation as self-heating is realized to decrease the crude oil viscosity and promote its absorption rate. Particularly noteworthy is that P-MXene@TPU monolith can bear 300 compression cycles with a deformation of 9 % owing to the superelastic TPU skeleton and aligned channels. The stable compression performance and anti-fatigue property validate that the monolith is suitable for recovering crude oil by extrusion. Continuous crude oil recovery is achieved via a pumping device and solar irradiation (1.0 kW/m2) enhances the recovery rate by a factor of 18, as compared to the one without irradiation. Given the unique structural design and exceptional properties, this monolith provides a highly efficient approach for handing the crude oil spills.

Photothermal Assisted Interfacial Cleaning with Semiconductor‐Based Sorbents: Recent Advances and Future Outlook for Effective Oil Spill Remediation

AbstractOceanic oil spills exert enduring adverse effects on marine ecosystems and human health. In contrast to conventional cleaning methods, advanced oil sorbents present a promising technology characterized by low cost, reduced environmental impact, and exceptional hydrophobicity and oleophilic properties for efficient oil removal from seawater. Despite these advantages, the efficacy of sorbents is hindered by highly viscous oil, impeding the oil/water separation process. To overcome this limitation, solar‐driven sorbents incorporating semiconductor materials are innovatively developed, leveraging increased temperatures to enhance crude oil absorption by reducing viscosity. Herein, a comprehensive review specifically focuses on various semiconductor‐functionalized sorbents for oil spill remediation, elucidating oil weathering and traditional cleaning methods to underscore the complexities and challenges in oil cleaning processes. An in‐depth discussion about the cleaning mechanisms of sorbents and the photothermal conversion processes facilitated by semiconductors is also provided. Additionally, it explores three coupling strategies—Joule heating and solar heating, photothermal effect, and magnetic effect, as well as photothermal and photocatalysis—that offer significant advancements in oil cleanup efficiency. Concluding with forward‐looking insights, the challenges and perspectives for the next generation of ocean oil spill removal technologies are proposed at the end.

Stereo-complex polylactide composite aerogel for crude oil adsorption

Adsorption materials are a cost-effective and simple method for oil spill remediation, but their efficiency is limited by high crude oil viscosity. Additionally, non-degradable materials pose another risk of secondary pollution, such as microplastic debris. Here, an environmentally-friendly stereo-complex polylactide composite (SCC) aerogel were developed via water-assisted thermally induced phase separation. The SCC with 3 wt% carbon nanotubes had a hierarchical structure of micro/nanoscale pores and high content of stereo-complex crystallites (35.7 %). Along with the excellent water repellency (water contact angle: 157°), SCC aerogel was 2.7 times as resistant to hydrolysis than poly(l-lactide) aerogel (Ph = 13, 37 °C). Additionally, a maximum absorption capacity of 41.2 g g−1 and over 97 % oil/water separation efficiency after 10 cycles were obtained in low viscosity conditions; while in high viscosity conditions, it displayed excellent photothermal performance, reaching a surface temperature of 85 °C under 1 sunlight, reducing crude oil absorption time from 42 min to 60 s (97.6 %-time savings). Moreover, it facilitated continuous crude oil spill recovery under sunlight with an adsorption rate of 3.3 × 104 kg m−3 h−1. The SCC aerogel presents a potential route for utilizing solar energy in crude oil adsorption applications without additional environmental burden.

Ultrahydrophobic melamine sponge via interfacial modification with reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposite and polydimethylsiloxane for oily wastewater treatment

Three-dimensional (3D) porous absorbents have attracted significant attention in the oily wastewater treatment technology due to their high porosity and elasticity. Given their amphiphilic surface, they have a propensity to simultaneously absorb water and oil, which restricts their range of applications. In this study, a reduced graphene oxide and titanium dioxide nanocomposite (rGO/TiO2) was used to fabricate an ultrahydrophobic melamine sponge (MS) through interfacial modification using a solution immersion technique. To further modify it, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was grafted onto its surface to establish stronger covalent bonds with the composite. The water contact angle of the sponge (rGO/TiO2/PDMS/MS) was 164.2°, which satisfies the condition for ultrahydrophobicity. The evidence of its water repellency was demonstrated by the Cassie–Baxter theory and the lotus leaf effect. As a result of the increased density of rGO/TiO2/PDMS/MS, it recorded an initial capacity that was 2 g/g lower than the raw MS for crude oil absorption. The raw MS retained 53% of its initial absorption capacity after 20 cycles of absorption, while rGO/TiO2/PDMS/MS retained 97%, suggesting good recyclability. Excellent oil and organic solvent recovery (90%–96%) was demonstrated by rGO/TiO2/PDMS/MS in oil–water combinations. In a continuous separation system, it achieved a remarkable separation efficiency of 2.4 × 106 L/(m3·h), and in turbulent emulsion separation, it achieved a demulsification efficiency of 90%–91%. This study provides a practical substitute for massive oil spill cleaning.

Coupling Carbon-Based Composite Phase Change Materials with a Polyurethane Sponge for Sustained and Efficient Solar-Driven Cleanup of Viscous Crude Oil Spill.

The efficient cleanup of crude oil spills is a worldwide problem due to their high viscosity and low fluidity. Under the assistance of solar radiation, adsorbents with in situ heating function are becoming the ideal candidates to solve this problem. In this study, a new strategy coupling a polyurethane (PU) sponge with phase change materials (PCMs) is proposed to realize the efficient utilization of solar energy and crude oil cleanup. Wormlike carbon nanotubes/mesoporous carbon (CNTs/MC) with a core-shell structure was used to encapsulate polyethylene glycol (PEG), which was then introduced into the PU sponge for photothermal conversion and thermal storage. After coating with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer, the sponge was further endowed with hydrophobic characteristics. Additionally, PDMS can function as a binder between PEG@CNTs/MC and sponge skeleton. The resulting PEG@CNTs/MC/PU/PDMS (named as PEG@CMPP) exhibited excellent photothermal conversion and high absorption capacity for high-viscosity crude oil. Most importantly, thanks to the heat storage properties of PEG, the stored heat can be sustainably transferred to the surrounding crude oil to promote its continuous absorption even under insufficient light intensity conditions. The crude oil absorption capacity of PEG@CMPP-3 reached approximately 0.96 g/cm3 even after the light source was removed, which manifested the distinctive advantages compared to the conventional photothermal adsorbent. The proposed approach integrates the high efficiency of solar-assisted heating and energy-conserving advantage, thereby providing a feasible strategy for highly efficient remediation of viscous crude oil spills.

Polarized radiative transfer in seawater-in-oil emulsions floated on seawater considering the impact of oil absorption on seawater droplet scattering.

Among various remote sensing approaches, optical polarization remote sensing shows great advantages in identifying oil-water emulsions in seawater and has become one of the most promising detection technologies. Herein, we focus on exploring the sensitivity of polarized radiative transfer properties for oil emulsion polarization detection to the influence factors of viewing angle, droplet volume fraction and radius, incident wavelength, and emulsion thickness. The radiative properties of seawater droplets dispersed in crude oil are calculated using the improved Lorenz-Mie theory considering the absorption of crude oil as the host medium, after which the reflected Stokes vector and the degree of linear polarization (DOLP) of seawater-in-oil emulsions floating on seawater are obtained using the spectral element method. By analyzing the calculation results of a 0° viewing azimuth angle, the detection wavelength and viewing zenith angles corresponding to the highest sensitivity of the DOLP to the above factors are significantly different; thus, quantitative remote sensing detection of the droplet volume fraction, droplet diameter, and emulsion thickness is possible. Exploring the sensitivity of polarized remote sensing signals for oil emulsion polarization detection to the above factors is a prerequisite for quantitative polarization detection of oil emulsions.

Photothermal ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene/MXene aerogel for crude oil adsorption and water evaporation

The frequent oil spill accidents during oil exploration and transportation have caused large economic loss and catastrophic environmental disasters. Due to low cost and simplicity, adsorption and filtration materials are often chosen to deal with oil spills, but the outcomes are not satisfactory mainly because of the awfully high viscosity of crude oil. Herein a photothermal ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene/MXene composite aerogel with a high light absorption (99.97%) and water repellency (water contact angle >148°) is developed by thermally induced phase separation method. The composite aerogel endows durable hydrophobicity with which the water contact angle is more than 142° in acidic/alkaline environments, and the maximum absorption capacity of 81 g g−1. In addition, it exhibits an excellent photothermal performance, rising surface temperature to 70 °C within 60 s under 1 sun irradiation, that can drastically reduce the crude oil absorption time from 60 min to 60 s, saving 98% of absorption time and reaching a crude oil absorption capacity of 21 g g−1. More interestingly, the designed solar evaporation device with the obtained composite aerogel can achieve an evaporation rate of 1.15 kg m−2h−1 and evaporation efficiency of 74%. The designed composite aerogel opens a possible pathway for solar-powered crude oil adsorption applications.

Tailoring surface features and pore structure by carbon spiral fibers to construct the high-strength carbon foams for the fast and cyclic photo-thermal oil absorption

Two key limitations affecting the commercial application of carbon foams for fast clean-up of varied oils are the complex synthesis process and poor mechanical stability. In this work, an effective method is reported to fabricate the efficient oil-absorbing materials (CSF@MCF) of carbon spiral fibers (CSFs) anchored on melamine carbon foam (MCF) with superior mechanical properties and excellent photothermal conversion. The interwoven CSFs can not only provide extra rigidity but also reduce the stress concentration of the carbon skeleton, which greatly improves the mechanical properties with 6.3 times maximum compression stress and 4.5 times ultimate tensile strength than MCF. In addition, the pure carbon component can reduce the interface resistance and excite the free electrons more easily, thus realizing high-efficiency photothermal conversion in a wide range of wavelengths. Under light irradiation, the CSF@MCF can be quickly heated up to 70 °C and achieve ultra-high absorption of crude oil, up to 62 g g−1, due to its low density and large absorption volume. Meanwhile, the CSF@MCF exhibits impressive absorption stability with persistent superhydrophobicity and a high recovery efficiency of over 85%. Superadding its simple preparation process, low production cost, and excellent acid-alkali resistance, the CSF@MCF shows great commercial potential for effectively absorbing varied oils.

The Effect of Chicken Gallus gallus (Domestics) feathers on the sorption properties of polyurethane foam

A comparative absorption capability analysis was conducted using adapted polyurethane foam as crude oil Sorbents. The used Crude oil has been brought from the west of the Qurna city oil field with A.P.I. equals 22.2- 27. API measures how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water; crude oil's sorption and absorption ratio amounts are investigated. The findings demonstrate that the absorption ratio of fluff feather to wing feather is very distinct. The fluff feather absorbed much more crude oil than the wings. Moreover, much crude oil absorption causes the three types of feathers to plunge into crude oil. Owing to the disparity of the capillary structures of pure and modified polyurethane and the particular arrangement of the feathers, the absorption of modified polyurethane foam is beyond pure foam. The absorption ratio is saturated at (240-270) % (where the modified foam releases some additional volume of crude oil rather than the saturation ratio). Because of the cross-link density inside the modified foam, the last results were clarified. Also, we analyzed the effect of 10 holes on the absorption ratio in which the absorption is less than the unpinned ratio. Keywords: Chicken feather, Qurna, West Qurna oil field, Iraqi crude oil, polyurethane, capillary structure.

Enhanced oil-spill removal and recovery from water bodies using diatomaceous earth and C18-silane-grafted polyurethane

This research focuses on the novel synthesis of polyurethane (PU) foam surface functionalized with diatomaceous earth (DE) particles and non-fluoro octadecylsilane (C18), for the use in enhanced clean-up of oil spill contaminants from water. The modified PU foam has improved hydrophobicity, wettability, water repellency, and biodegradability, which eliminates some of the drawbacks of PU such as its hygroscopic nature, limited hydrophobicity, ecotoxicity, and less biodegradability. The modified PU foam has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy to understand the microstructural changes during the surface modifications, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to track the integration of functional groups, X-ray crystallographic study to indicate the increase in the crystallinity of the resultant foam due to the incorporation of silane, and thermogravimetric analysis to understand the thermal stability and to calculate the thermal mass loss during the chemical modification. Furthermore, to test the enhanced hydrophobicity and oil spill clearance from water, the water contact angle has been measured and crude oil absorption capacity has been tested. The results show increased water repellency attributed to the strong hydrophobicity, and about 2.13 folds of increased crude oil absorption in comparison to the unmodified PU foam. Hence, the results collectively suggest the use of the synthesized surface-modified PU foam with superior hydrophobicity, water repellence, and surface wettability as a potential candidate for enhanced crude oil absorption from water bodies. Graphical abstract

A solar-driven self-repairing sponge for efficient recovery of crude oil

Solar-heated absorption has become an effective technique to handle the crisis of crude oil spill. Although photothermal absorbents could efficiently clean up crude oil in situ, oil recovery methods such as squeezing absorbents have a negative impact on structural integrity and performance of absorbents, shortening the service life of the device. Herein, a solar-driven carbon-doped self-repairing polyurethane sponge (CSPU) is fabricated for absorption and recovery of crude oil. Chitosan-derived N-doped porous carbon (NPC) as photothermal filler and 2-hydroxyethyl disulfide (HDES) as chain extender are introduced into sponge in situ through free foaming. The firm load of NPC endows CSPU with good light absorption of 97.1% and a stable photothermal conversion performance. Additionally, the solar-driven self-repairing property promotes CSPU to timely repair the structural damage caused in oil recovery process. Consequently, CSPU exhibits a high crude oil absorption of 23.5 g/g, and it still maintains a good oil absorption and recovery efficiency after friction, ultrasonic treatment or multiple absorption-recovery cycles. This strategy combining photothermal oil absorption and solar-driven self-repairing provides a sustainable and durable solution for addressing crude oil spills.

Facile fabrication of flame-resistant, photothermal, and electrothermal polyurethane sponge: A promising sorbent for all-weather recovery of viscous crude oil spills from seawater

Herein, polyurethane (PU) sponges were modified by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), hexagonal boron nitride@Fe3O4 (BNF), nano graphite (nG), and acrylic resin (AR) to prepare two photothermal and electrothermal converters as efficient crude oil sorbents. The PU/MWCNT/BNF/AR and PU/nG/BNF/AR composites were able to convert electric current and sunlight to heat energy. The generated heat energy increased crude oil mobility followed by increasing crude oil penetration into the sorbent. The results showed that three parameters of the composites, including their porosity, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, affected the crude oil absorption capacity. Therefore, the PU/MWCNT/BNF/AR had better oil absorption capacity (83.5 g g−1) than PU/nG/BNF/AR in both heating methods due to its remarkable characteristics such as high porosity (96.13 %), high thermal conductivity (0.98 W m−1 K−1), and good electrical conductivity (1.33 × 10−1 S/m). In a continuous crude oil absorption process using a vacuum pump and applying a voltage of 4 V, the PU/MWCNT/BNF/AR could absorb crude oil 72,170 times its own weight, which was the best amount among previously reported results. Moreover, the PU/MWCNT/BNF/AR was a superhydrophobic sponge with a water contact angle (WCA) of 165° and had a UL94-V0 flammability rate as a high flame-resistant composite. These all-weather energy converters can be promising sorbents for heavy crude oil/water separation.

Durable superhydrophobic sponge for all-weather cleanup of viscous crude oil by electrothermal and photothermal effects

Creating innovative absorbent materials with a rapid absorption rate and high absorption efficiency for viscous crude oils continues to be a global problem. Hydrophobic/oleophilic porous sorbents with light-to-heat or electric-to-heat capabilities are attractive options for crude oil clean-up, but their complicated preparation processes, poor stability, and variable weather restrict their practical usage. Herein, the light-absorbing and electrical polypyrrole and Fe3O4 are introduced to endow the melamine sponge with excellent photothermal and electrothermal properties, while the polydimethylsiloxane is coated on the surface of the sponge to make it durable, compressible, and superhydrophobic. Thanks to the superior photo/electro-heat conversion capability, the temperature of the as-prepared sponge′s surface may reach 95.9 °C under solar light with 1 kW m−2 intensity or 101.4 °C under a voltage of 11 V, making it adaptable to reduce the crude oil’s viscosity and absorb it in all weather. In addition, when the sponge is exposed to sunlight and voltage at the same time, its crude oil absorption velocity is dramatically improved and is about 107 times greater than that of an unheated sponge. Based on the eco-friendly preparation method and excellent crude oil absorption performance, this work provides a promising absorbent for the recycling of spilled crude oil.

Hydrophobic-oleophilic gamma-irradiated modified cellulose nanocrystal/gelatin aerogel for oil absorption

This study highlights the potential use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from kenaf fiber as a dominant phase for aerogel application. CNCs were modified with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) using the sol-gel method and bound with gamma-irradiated cross-linked gelatin. The properties of the aerogel were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and water contact angle (WCA). Compression and oil absorption tests were performed to study the aerogels' mechanical and oil absorption properties. A decrease in the OH peak and improved hydrophobicity of CNCs in CNC-MTMS suggested the successful grafting of MTMS onto CNCs, as shown in the FTIR and WCA analyses. Several absorption peaks in the FTIR spectrum shifted, disappeared, or reduced, implying a formation of crosslink between gelatin molecules and hydrogen bonding between CNC and gelatin. FESEM micrographs showed well-organized pores in the gamma-irradiated aerogel, which contribute to increased compressive strength. The oil absorption test indicated that gamma-irradiated CNC-MTMS/gelatin could be a good oil absorbent. Furthermore, this aerogel showed good reusability, where only 4 % of crude oil absorption reduction occurred by the eighth cycle. The combined properties of these aerogel materials can provide good mechanical and oil absorption performance.