SiO2-PDMS as oil removal system

This work presents an oil removal system design based on the use of hydrophobic silica (SiO2/PDMS) obtained by the co-condensation of silica with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using DBTL as a polycondensation catalyst. The amount of PDMS in the SiO2/PDMS structure varied from 10 to 40%w. The SiO2/PDMS was impregnated into a sponge system and the amount of hydrophobic silica trapped in the sponge was evaluated by gravimetry; in addition, infrared spectroscopy will allow the identification of the hydrophobic silica in the sponge and the main functional groups of the sponge. The hydrophobic character was determined by changing the water absorption capacity of the sponge and by measuring the contact angle. On the other hand, optical microscopy allowed the identification of changes in the sponge surface due to the presence of SiO2/PDMS. Finally, the effect of the amount of PDMS on the oil-in-water removal capacity was determined.