Designing dual-functional nanohybrids for improving petroleum fractions through removing both phenyl-nonane and methyl-naphthalene

Abstract

The present study focuses on using the adsorption character of the layered double hydroxide (LDH) for removal of aromatics species because of its simple production, suitable for ecology, cost less and easy to modify by intercalation organic molecules which cause change from hydrophilic to hydrophobic character and help in increase the removal percentage of mono- and di- aromatics. In this work, nanolayered structures (AlZn NLS) were prepared and characterized by different techniques but cannot remove aromatics. After intercalation by organic molecules (4-aminobenzoic acid, Salicylic acid, Adipic acid and n-capric acid in order), series of AlZn nanohybrids were prepared and showed significant removal of mono- and di-aromatics. The prepared nanohybrids based on n-capric acid showed significant results for removal of both mono-aromatics (33.5%) and di-aromatics (28.6%). The current study concluded that the nanolayered structures of AlZn became effective for removal aromatic species because of the expansion of the interlayered spacing of nanolayers and the increase of hydrophobic character.