Magnetically recoverable poly (methyl methacrylate-acrylic acid)/iron oxide magnetic composites nanomaterials with hydrophilic wettability for efficient oil-water separation.

Due to the environmental and production problems of emulsion, it is important to efficiently separate oil-water emulsion to meet the refinery requirement and clean up oil spills. Synthesis of a universal demulsifier is not an easy task because the physical properties of crude oil vary, which makes its characterization and demulsification procedure difficult. To overcome this problem, hydrophilic and magnetically recoverable poly (methyl methacrylate-acrylic acid)/iron oxide magnetic composite nanoparticles ((P(MMA-AA)/Fe3O4 NPs) were developed as an efficient and economical demulsifier via soap-free emulsion polymerization. To characterize the magnetic composite NPs for their appropriate surface morphology and magnetic domain, TEM, FTIR, VSM, and TGA analyses were carried out. The newly synthesized NPs displayed good hydrophilic properties as they migrated quickly to the aqueous emulsion phase, which was also reassured by their water contact angle of 75°. They exhibit strong magnetic characteristics (20 amu/g) in the oil-water emulsion, makings the hydrophilic wettability capable and attractive to the external magnet. Experimental results revealed that the prepared magnetic composite NPs separated 99% of the water from stable emulsion in 30 min and could be recycled 8 times through magnetic separation. The recycled magnetic composite NPs maintain their hydrophilic wettability and efficiency in separating oil-water emulsion, making them economical and commercially viable. The migration of magnetic composite NPs to the aqueous phase in the stable emulsion with a strong magnetic domain explains the coalescence of emulsified water droplets and their quick separation from the stable emulsions through the external magnet.

Analytical perspective and environmental remediation potentials of magnetic composite nanosorbents.

The synthesis and application of magnetic nanosorbents to remove emerging pollutants have been considered the best environmental remediation and sustainability option. Incorporating magnetism shortens the treatment time and allows the sorbent to be recovered quickly using external magnetic with many cycles. The implementation of magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) using magnetic materials of different shapes, sizes, and surface morphology can be a valuable tool in applying materials to prepare analytical samples. In MSPE applications, materials with strong magnetic domain can be used as precursors for constructing magnetic composite as a promising sorbent. This article focuses on the most recent and exceptional applications of magnetic adsorbents for preconcentration and removal purposes. Magnetic adsorbents, such as nanoparticles (NPs), foam, sponges, nanocomposites, hydrogels, and beads with multifunctional attributes have been comprehensively studied in terms of preparation procedures, limitations, advantages, and interactions between pollutants and magnetic composites. The role of magnetic sorbents in sample preparation methods, such as simple solid-phase extraction and microextraction, as well as sorptive extraction using a stir bar, was also examined. The use of magnetic adsorbents with analytical techniques, such as solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction improves the method for preparing samples concerning the influential role of magnetic adsorbents. Towards the end, promising features and future outlook are also directed.