Conversion of an industrial waste to an oil sorbent by coupling with functional silanes

The aim of the present study is to produce an oil sorbent from paper industry waste by reducing the water sorption capacity with silane coating. Waste material was pretreated and then coupled with two different kinds of alkoxysilane, by solution immersion process. Coated material was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and contact angle measurements. Oil and water selectivity from water surface were evaluated for three different oil types. Production cost of the sorbent was determined and compared with other commercial products. Effect of silane coupling on water sorption percentage was more apparent for thinner oil film thickness which was 0.127 cm. The water percentage for uncoated sorbent at this film thickness was 38.24% for diesel-oil mixture. For surface coated material, water sorption percentages were 9.27% for (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APS) and 10% for 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MPS). The results show that industrial waste can be converted into an oil sorbing material by silane coupling. After coating, the material can be a good alternative for the removal of spilled oil. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.