Synthesis of MRGO Nanocomposites as a Potential Photocatalytic Demulsifier for Crude Oil-in-Water Emulsion

Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion has been a major concern for the petroleum industry. A cost-effective magnetite-reduced graphene oxide (MRGO) nanocomposite was synthesized to study demulsification process of using said under solar illumination. Characterization data show that magnetite successfully deposited on reduced through redox reaction at varying loading amounts magnetite. Demulsification O/W MRGO shows in general efficiency dependent amount Fe3O4 RGO sheet. It proposed surfactant hydroxyl groups have an affinity towards Fe3O4, which directly proportionate available active site Fe3O4. As increases, charge recombination centers sheet would increase, effectively affecting distribution within structure.