Ultrafast diesel oil spill removal by fibers from silk-cotton tree: Characterization and sorption potential evaluation

Abstract Fibers from silk-cotton tree were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, photoluminescence excitation and applied in the sorption of diesel oil. Sorption oil capacity, kinetic behavior and dynamic retention potential were evaluated. To understand the functionalization contribution from surface, waxy contend was extracted and characterized by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and the material was subjected again to sorption tests to measure the modified capacity. The results indicated that the fibers are composed by aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons which confers hydrophobic and oleophilic character, reaching more than 58.462 ± 6.733 g/g of diesel sorption in a rapid phenomenon, according to Fractal Like-Linear Driving Force model adjustment, ruled by absorption mechanisms. It has also been noted that the arrangement of fibers provides high retention stability with more than 85% of oil still trapped after agitation, and the extractive process has been proved that surface waxes influence the oleophilic character of the material, but do not reduce its sorption potential. Therefore, the material demonstrates outstanding environmentally friendly features due to its high availability, agricultural origin and light oil spill resource for its fast, high and stable sorption capacity.