Pulsed laser ablation of polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites for oil spill remediation

• Published in: Cleaner Materials Vol. 11; p. 100235
• Main Authors: Gera, Tamás, Kondász, Bence, Smausz, Tomi, Kopniczky, Judit, Hodovány, Szabolcs, Ajtai, Tibor, Szabó-Révész, Piroska, Ambrus, Rita, Csóka, Ildikó, Hopp, Béla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Composite materials; Magnetic nanocomposites; Oil spill; Pulsed laser ablation; Remediation; Water waste management; Oil spill; Magnetic nanocomposites; Pulsed laser ablation; Composite materials; Remediation; Water waste management
• ISSN: 2772-3976; 2772-3976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clema.2024.100235

Oil spills represent a critical environmental threat, particularly to marine ecosystems, necessitating the development of efficient and eco-friendly remediation technologies. This study explores the application of pulsed laser ablation (PLA) in fabricating polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites, with a focus on polyvinylpyrrolidone, chitosan, and methyl cellulose. These polymers, renowned for their proficiency in adsorbing pollutants from various oils, were combined with magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) in a compressed tablet form. The PLA process facilitated the generation of nanocomposites, which were subsequently collected using an external magnetic field. The chemical composition of these composites was analyzed through Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, while particle sizes were determined using the Leica Image Processing and Analysis System. The study revealed that PLA is a green, single-step, and effective technique for preparing magnetic nanocomposites, producing particles predominantly in the 400 nm–4 µm size range. Furthermore, the application of these composites in oil/water separation demonstrated with separation commencing approximately 1 s after the application of a magnetic field. These findings underscore the potential of PLA in crafting magnetic nanocomposites for the rapid and environmentally sustainable remediation of oil spills.