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3D-poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate)/divinyl benzene-2D-nanosheet composite networks for organic solvents and crude oil spill cleanup

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Abstract

Herein, we report 3D-cross-linked polymer-2D-nanosheet composite networks for various organic solvents and crude oil spill cleanup. The 3D-cross-linked polystyrene-polymethyl methacrylate/divinyl benzene (PS-PMMA/DVB) with 2D-nanosheets of either boron nitride or commercial graphene (PS-PMMA/DVB-2D-nanosheets) composite absorbents has been successfully prepared by bulk polymerization technique. The effect of the crosslinker concentration (DVB), the 2D-nanosheets, and its weight ratio in the 3D-cross-linked polymer composite absorbents has been optimized based on the demonstrated absorption capacities for the oil and different organic solvents. The preparation of the 3D-cross-linked polymer composite absorbents has been carried out by the in situ one-step bulk polymerization method using styrene (S) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers, crosslinker (DVB), the 2D-nanosheets, and AIBN as an initiator at 70 °C. The 3D-cross-linked composite absorbents were characterized by FT-IR, thermal, and mechanical analyses. The 3D-cross-linked PS-PMMA/DVB-2D-nanosheets absorbents have demonstrated excellent absorption capacities for both organic solvents and crude oil. The absorption kinetics for all the studied organic solvents and oil from the water was found to be pseudo-second-order kinetics. The thermodynamics of the absorption process indicates that the process is spontaneous and endothermic.

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Acknowledgements

This study is part of research project agreement no. AFU-01-2017 in collaboration with EXPEC advanced research center, Saudi Aramco. The authors gratefully acknowledge the continued support from AlFaisal University and its office of research.

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  1. College of Science and General Studies, AlFaisal University, PO Box 50927, Riyadh, 11533, Saudi Arabia

    Mohan Raj Krishnan, Yazeed Fahad Aldawsari & Edreese H. Alsharaeh

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  1. Mohan Raj Krishnan
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Krishnan, M.R., Aldawsari, Y.F. & Alsharaeh, E.H. 3D-poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate)/divinyl benzene-2D-nanosheet composite networks for organic solvents and crude oil spill cleanup. Polym. Bull. 79, 3779–3802 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-021-03565-5

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