Investigation of Egyptian Chorisia spp. fiber as a natural sorbent for oil spill cleanup

Abstract Egyptian hollow fiber has been explored as natural feasible cellulosic materials that acquired great lumen and hydrophobic characteristics, which empower it to show high oil sorption capacity. The effect of solvent and sodium chlorite treatments and oil type on the sorption characteristics of Egyptian Chorisia spp. hollow fibers have been investigated. The outcomes demonstrate that with the exception of non-polar solvent, ether, Chorisia hollow fiber treated with other solvents show reduction of oil sorption capacity. NaClO2-treated fiber appears the highest and selective absorption of oil from oil/water mixtures and stayed stable after ten sorption/desorption cycles of reutilization with only 15% of sorption limit decrease. Besides, in view of SEM, NaClO2-treated fiber was retained its overall tubular and lumen structures after desorption of oils. These achievements will be reflected in the challenges for purification of other sources of water if there should arise an occurrence of water lack in Egypt.