Synthesis of magnetically responsive hyperbranched polyamidoamine based on the graphene oxide: Application as demulsifier for oil‐in‐water emulsions

Summary In this study, a novel, highly efficient, and magnetically responsive demulsifier, namely, Fe3O4@hyperbranched polyamidoamine‐graphene oxide (MKh‐GO), was synthesized. First, Fe3O4 was synthesized, and Fe3O4 was wrapped in hyperbranched polyamidoamine (h‐PAMAM) by γ‐(methacryloyl oxide) propyltrimethoxysilane (kh570), and MKh‐GO was synthesized by condensation reaction. The chemical structures and morphologies of the samples were characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The magnetic response of the sample was tested by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The MKh‐GO was used to separate crude oil in water emulsion; the effects of MKh‐GO dosage, temperature, and pH value on the demulsifying efficiency were investigated. Possible demulsification mechanisms were summarized. The results show that MKh‐GO is successfully synthesized, and MKh‐GO exhibits excellent demulsification performance; MKh‐GO is recycled seven times, and the demulsification efficiency is 97%. In this study, a novel, highly efficient, and magnetically responsive demulsifier, namely, Fe3O4@hyperbranched polyamidoamine‐graphene oxide (MKh‐GO), was synthesized. Demulsifying efficiency of MKh‐GO was investigated. Possible demulsification mechanisms were summarized. MKh‐GO had excellent demulsification performance and recyclable performance.