A hydrophobic PMS-biochar-coated sponge sorbent for pre-purification of heavily oil-polluted waters
Adylkanova A. Kunarbekova M. Uali A.
5 September 2025Elsevier B.V.
Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
2025#720
This study primarily focuses on environmental concerns and protection by providing a beneficial use of waste biomass from crops and a low-cost polymer sponge to produce a low-cost and eco-friendly sorbent effective for oil-water separation. Research has indicated that waste wheat-derived biochar (BC), with a yield of 24.14 %, is predominantly composed of a graphite-like phase, featuring an advanced surface morphology and porous structure. This biochar can be combined with the hydrophobic agent polymethylsiloxane (PMS) to coat the melamine sponge, creating an effective sorbent for oil-water separation. The contact angle measurements indicate that once the sorbent surface is coated with BC and PMS, it becomes more hydrophobic, achieving a contact angle of approximately 135.23°. As the experimental study demonstrates, oil-contaminated water can be purified through a two-stage adsorption process with a chemisorption mechanism behind it, achieving total oil removal efficiencies of 99.13 % and 97.47 % from neutral and saline waters, respectively. The GC-MS analysis shows that while the first stage removes most non-polar and hydrophobic compounds, the second stage captures a higher proportion of moderately polar compounds. The impressive effectiveness of the relatively chemically, mechanically, and thermally stable PMS-BC-coated-MF-based sorbent in pre-purifying water from substantial oil contamination highlights its potential for addressing heavily polluted water sources. This finding reinforces the viability of sustainable approaches to oil spill remediation.
Biochar , Hydrophobic sorbent , Melamine sponge , Oil-water separation , Waste wheat
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 13 Kazhymukan St., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Satbayev University, 22a Satbayev St., Almaty, 050026, Kazakhstan
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Satbayev University
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026