Interfacially active and magnetically responsive composite nanoparticles with raspberry like structure; synthesis and its applications for heavy crude oil/water separation

In the current study of interfacially active and magnetically responsive poly (methylmethacrylate-acrylicacid-divinylbenzene)/ironoxide magnetic composite nanoparticles with raspberry like surface morphology were designed and synthesized by direct soap free emulsion polymerization followed by solvothermal technique. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) were being used for the characterization of magnetic composite nanoparticle with proper surface morphology, nano scale particle size and high magnetic content. The prepared P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles showed excellent interfacial activity at the oil/water interface. The magnetic properties of P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles at the oil/water interface made the interfacial properties tunable and responsive to an external magnetic field which, showed quick separation of heavy oil and water emulsion within one hour. The magnetic property enabled the used magnetic composite nanoparticles to be recycled by magnetic separation and solvent washing. The recycled P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe₃O₄ was found toretaining its interfacial activity and effectivity in the oil/water separation. The adsorption of P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe₃O₄ at the oil/water interface with their magnetic properties demonstrating enhanced coalescence of magnetically tagged water droplets and rapid separation of water droplets from the heavy crude oil and water emulsions by an external magnetic field.