Novel Janus magnetic micro particle synthesis and its applications as a demulsifier for breaking heavy crude oil and water emulsion

This paper focuses on the synthesis of micro scale Poly(methylmethacrylate-acrylic acid-divinylbenzene) iron oxide Janus magnetic submicronic particles and the investigation of their interfacial properties and demulsifying capacity. The surface morphology, polymerization process and magnetic properties of the magnetic Janus submicronic particles were characterized by laser particle size analyzer, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer. The interfacial activity and high hydrophilic nature of P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe₃O₄ Janus magnetic submicronic particles allowed them to be effectively attached to stable emulsified water droplets in heavy crude oil water emulsion. Janus magnetic submicronic particles tagged water droplets were readily removed by an external magnetic field. Our experimental results showed efficient removal of the water from the heavy crude oil emulsion. It was found that external magnetic field enhances the coalescence of magnetically tagged water droplets in an emulsion. The magnetic property of P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe₃O₄ allowed the used Janus magnetic submicronic particles to be readily recycled by magnetic separation and solvent washing. The recycled P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe₃O₄ was found to retain its interfacial activity and was effective in breaking the heavy crude oil water emulsion. This study demonstrated that Janus magnetic submicronic particles demulsification represented a new route of removing emulsified water from crude oil and water emulsions.