Enhanced oil-spill removal and recovery from water bodies using diatomaceous earth and C18-silane-grafted polyurethane

This research focuses on the novel synthesis of polyurethane (PU) foam surface functionalized with diatomaceous earth (DE) particles and non-fluoro octadecylsilane (C18), for use in enhanced clean-up oil spill contaminants from water. The modified PU has improved hydrophobicity, wettability, water repellency, biodegradability, which eliminates some drawbacks such as its hygroscopic nature, limited ecotoxicity, less biodegradability. been characterized by scanning electron microscopy to understand microstructural changes during modifications, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy track integration functional groups, X-ray crystallographic study indicate increase crystallinity resultant due incorporation silane, thermogravimetric analysis thermal stability calculate mass loss chemical modification. Furthermore, test hydrophobicity clearance water, contact angle measured crude absorption capacity tested. results show increased repellency attributed strong about 2.13 folds comparison unmodified foam. Hence, collectively suggest synthesized surface-modified superior repellence, wettability a potential candidate bodies.