Polystyrene magnetic nanocomposite blend: An effective, facile, and economical alternative in oil spill removal applications

Finding an efficient and economical method to remediate oil spills on water is a priority worldwide. In this article, we propose a solution to this problem using polystyrene magnetic nanocomposite blends composed of polystyrene chains grafted on the surface of silica coated on iron oxide nanoparticles and polystyrene. The hydrophobic and oleophilic magnetic polymer nanocomposite collected oil from the water surface quickly and efficiently. However, when the magnetic polymer nanocomposite was blended with polystyrene, the resulting material also absorbed oil efficiently from the water surface. The blending technique made it easier to prepare the absorbent and dramatically decreased its cost. These new absorbents absorbed oil up to 5 times their own weight in only 5 minutes. The excellent hydrophobicity, low density, and easy magnetic separation makes these new absorbents a promising alternative to recover oil from spilled in fresh and marine water. [Display omitted] •Nanocomposite preparation by surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization.•Polystyrene synthesis by reverse atom transfer radical polymerization.•Nanocomposite and its blend with polystyrene showed high oil absorption capacity.•Lower cost, but equally effective absorbents using blending technique.