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

• DOI: 10.1016/j.wse.2023.09.003
• Publication Date: 2023-09-14T02:27:26Z
• Authors: Hamidatu Alhassan; Ying Woan Soon; Anwar Usman; Voo Nyuk Yoong
• Keywords: Polydimethylsiloxane; Titanium Dioxide

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