Synthesis of carbon nanotube aerogels from cross-linked polyacrylamide/chitosan hydrogels via gamma irradiation for efficient oil removal

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2024-10, Vol.12 (5), p.113819, Article 113819
• Main Authors: Ghobashy, Mohamed Mohamady, Aboulfotouh, Maysara E., Gayed, H.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerogel; CNTs; Gamma; Oil removal; Sodium silicate
• ISSN: 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2024.113819

Environmental pollution, stemming from oil spills and improper disposal of organic solvents, severely threatens global water resources and ecosystems. This study addresses this concern by introducing carbon nanotube (CNT) aerogels as efficient adsorbents for removing pump oil and various organic solvents from water. Aerogels were synthesized from cross-linked Chitosan/polyacrylamide hydrogels using gamma irradiation in the presence of sodium silicate, incorporating varying concentrations of CNTs (1 %, 2 %, and 3 %). Characterization techniques, including FTIR, SEM, EDX, BET surface area analysis, and compression testing, unveiled the structural and physicochemical properties of the aerogels. Incorporation of CNTs substantially enhanced surface area and compressive strength, with the CNT 3 % aerogel exhibiting remarkable values (316 m2/g and 8.677 MPa, respectively). Hydrophobicity was confirmed by water contact angles (89° to 94°). The CNT aerogels demonstrated outstanding oil removal efficiency, reaching 93.15 %, surpassing the blank aerogel (38.01 %). The CNT aerogel achieved 80.68 % efficiency for methanol removal compared to 62.09 % for the blank aerogel. Kinetic studies revealed a chemisorption process, emphasizing the enhanced chemical interactions facilitated by CNTs. These findings underscore the promising potential of CNT aerogels for effectively removing oil and organic solvent contaminants from water, even at low concentrations. [Display omitted] •High surface area and compressive strength CNT aerogel for oil removal was prepared.•Contact angle measurements showed CNT aerogels are hydrophobic, with angles 89°-94°.•The CNT aerogel showed 93.15 % oil removal and 80.68 % methanol removal efficiency within 60 minutes.