Synthesis of Granulated Hydrophobic Magnetic Sorbents and Composite Sponges Based on Fe3O4/Zn-Al-LDH for Oil Pollution Removal

A method has been developed for modifying the surface of magnetic composite materials on layered double hydroxides (LDH) Fe3O4/Zn-Al-LDH to enhance their hydrophobic properties. The mechanisms of interaction of sodium stearate, oleate, and dodecyl sulfate with the Fe3O4/Zn-Al-LDH surface have been studied. The effect of hydrophobization in an ethanol medium on the porous and crystalline structures of the initial material has been studied. Routes to synthesize magnetic granular and sponge sorbents using melanin-formaldehyde resin as a matrix are reported. Samples of granular and sponge sorption materials Fe3O4/LDH-ST and MEL-Fe3O4/LDH-ST fabricated under optimal conditions have a high oil sorption capacity (0.60 and 21.36 g/g, respectively), significant magnetic susceptibility, enhanced hydrophobicity, and the possibility of regeneration. The synthesized materials are promising for marine oil spill remediation and for environmental monitoring.