Electrospun PVDF fibers and a novel PVDF/CoFe 2 O 4 fibrous composite as nanostructured sorbent materials for oil spill cleanup

Abstract In this work, pure polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and PVDF/cobalt ferrite (CoFe 2 O 4 ) magnetic fibrous composite were successfully prepared by electrospinning method for oil spill sorption applications. The pure spinel phase of CoFe 2 O 4 and PVDF/CoFe 2 O 4 composites were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Electrospun sorbent materials were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) as well as by contact angle measurements. In addition, the composite sorbent (PVDF/CoFe 2 O 4 ) was characterized by magnetic measurements. It revealed good magnetic properties that are of real interest to facilitate the separation of the oil-loaded sorbent under the external magnetic field. Finally, the produced electrospun sorbents were tested for sorption of oily liquids, such as: decane, dodecane and commercial motor oils. We obtained good oil sorption capacity (between 9.751–23.615 g/g of pure PVDF) and (8.133–18.074 g/g for the magnetic composite) depending on the nature of oil tested. The present electrospun magnetic PVDF/CoFe 2 O 4 fibrous composite could be potentially useful for the efficient removal of oil in water and recovery of sorbent material.