Magnetic polydimethylsiloxane microspheres as hydrophobic collectors for oil removal
Oil spills represent a significant environmental challenge, requiring materials that are efficient, cost-effective, and reusable for oil–water separation. This study presents a scalable method for fabricating magnetic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microspheres using commercially available oil-based fe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Materials Research Express |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/adad3f |
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| author | J G Cabal-Velarde A Lobo Guerrero E Araujo E Romero-Tela J L Sánchez-Llamazares A Encinas |
| author_facet | J G Cabal-Velarde A Lobo Guerrero E Araujo E Romero-Tela J L Sánchez-Llamazares A Encinas |
| author_sort | J G Cabal-Velarde |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Oil spills represent a significant environmental challenge, requiring materials that are efficient, cost-effective, and reusable for oil–water separation. This study presents a scalable method for fabricating magnetic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microspheres using commercially available oil-based ferrofluid. The choice of ferrofluid simplifies synthesis by providing pre-dispersed superparamagnetic nanoparticles, ensuring compatibility with PDMS. The ferrofluid-PDMS mixture was emulsified in warm water containing a surfactant, stabilizing the microparticles during polymerization. The resulting microspheres were characterized by optical microscopy, and magnetic hysteresis measurements confirm that the microspheres are superparamagnetic. X-ray diffraction confirmed the ferrofluid had magnetite nanoparticles. Oil absorption tests revealed that the microspheres achieved an absorption capacity of up to 580% of their weight. Moreover, the microspheres retained nearly 90% of their original absorption capacity after 10 reuse cycles, demonstrating excellent durability and reusability. This approach combines simplicity, scalability, and cost-efficiency while achieving high performance in oil absorption and magnetic separability. By exploiting the compatibility of ferrofluid and PDMS, the study provides a practical and effective solution for environmental remediation. These microspheres offer an attractive alternative to traditional methods, addressing the need for advanced materials that combine high efficiency with low operational costs and reusability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b4ede44e63324b85a700704f44666e04 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2053-1591 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Materials Research Express |
| spelling | doaj-art-b4ede44e63324b85a700704f44666e042025-02-06T17:13:09ZengIOP PublishingMaterials Research Express2053-15912025-01-0112202610110.1088/2053-1591/adad3fMagnetic polydimethylsiloxane microspheres as hydrophobic collectors for oil removalJ G Cabal-Velarde0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5516-3849A Lobo Guerrero1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5816-847XE Araujo2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1255-2585E Romero-Tela3J L Sánchez-Llamazares4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3192-8106A Encinas5https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4965-282XTecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Irapuato, Carretera Irapuato-Silao km. 12.5, 36821. Guanajuato, MexicoÁrea Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo . Carr. Pachuca-Tulancingo km 4.5, 42039. Hidalgo, MexicoIntituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Occidente . Periférico Sur Manuel Gómez Morín 8585. Jalisco, MexicoUniversidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Manuel Nava 6, Zona Universitaria , 78290. San Luis Potosí, MexicoInstituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica , Camino a La Presa de San José 2005, 78216. San Luis Potosí, MexicoInstituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica , Camino a La Presa de San José 2005, 78216. San Luis Potosí, MexicoOil spills represent a significant environmental challenge, requiring materials that are efficient, cost-effective, and reusable for oil–water separation. This study presents a scalable method for fabricating magnetic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microspheres using commercially available oil-based ferrofluid. The choice of ferrofluid simplifies synthesis by providing pre-dispersed superparamagnetic nanoparticles, ensuring compatibility with PDMS. The ferrofluid-PDMS mixture was emulsified in warm water containing a surfactant, stabilizing the microparticles during polymerization. The resulting microspheres were characterized by optical microscopy, and magnetic hysteresis measurements confirm that the microspheres are superparamagnetic. X-ray diffraction confirmed the ferrofluid had magnetite nanoparticles. Oil absorption tests revealed that the microspheres achieved an absorption capacity of up to 580% of their weight. Moreover, the microspheres retained nearly 90% of their original absorption capacity after 10 reuse cycles, demonstrating excellent durability and reusability. This approach combines simplicity, scalability, and cost-efficiency while achieving high performance in oil absorption and magnetic separability. By exploiting the compatibility of ferrofluid and PDMS, the study provides a practical and effective solution for environmental remediation. These microspheres offer an attractive alternative to traditional methods, addressing the need for advanced materials that combine high efficiency with low operational costs and reusability.https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/adad3fSuperparamagnetic-hydrophobic compositespolydimethylsiloxaneoil removalmagnetic separation |
| spellingShingle | J G Cabal-Velarde A Lobo Guerrero E Araujo E Romero-Tela J L Sánchez-Llamazares A Encinas Magnetic polydimethylsiloxane microspheres as hydrophobic collectors for oil removal Materials Research Express Superparamagnetic-hydrophobic composites polydimethylsiloxane oil removal magnetic separation |
| title | Magnetic polydimethylsiloxane microspheres as hydrophobic collectors for oil removal |
| title_full | Magnetic polydimethylsiloxane microspheres as hydrophobic collectors for oil removal |
| title_fullStr | Magnetic polydimethylsiloxane microspheres as hydrophobic collectors for oil removal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Magnetic polydimethylsiloxane microspheres as hydrophobic collectors for oil removal |
| title_short | Magnetic polydimethylsiloxane microspheres as hydrophobic collectors for oil removal |
| title_sort | magnetic polydimethylsiloxane microspheres as hydrophobic collectors for oil removal |
| topic | Superparamagnetic-hydrophobic composites polydimethylsiloxane oil removal magnetic separation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/adad3f |
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