A new method to prepare oil adsorbent utilizing waste paper and its application for oil spill clean-ups

A cellulose-based oil adsorbent was developed utilizing the waste paper PS-16 (mixed kraft cuttings) via a simple modification process. Through mechanical treatment and spray with polyethylene wax and alkyl ketene dimer, it was found that the product was significantly more hydrophobic than the raw material, with a water contact angle of 125.6°. The capability of the product to absorb engine oil, kerosene, and xylene was studied and compared with other cellulose-based adsorbents. The adsorbent had an excellent performance with a high absorbing ability of 16 to 28 times its own weight. Up to 92.8% of the oil in the adsorbents could be easily recycled and collected by manual squeezing. The adsorbent could be reused over eight cycles, and the sorption capacity remained constant. Therefore, this adsorbent is expected to be a promising oil sorbent for potential applications like oil spill clean-ups.