Oil Spill Cleanup by Bonded Nettle Fibrous Mat

Abstract

Nettle is a cellulose plant fiber which enormously exists in tropical wasteland areas around the world. Various researchers throughout the world have studied the characteristics of nettle in different forms such as fibers, yarns and fabrics. In the present work, 100% nonwoven nettle fibrous assembly has been produced using needle punching machine and investigated for its suitability in oil spill cleanup applications. The oil sorption capacity of 100% needle-punched nonwoven nettle fibrous assembly against crude oil and diesel engine oil was 22.39 g/g and 19.29 g/g, respectively. Further, nonwoven nettle fibrous assembly was also subjected to tests such as reusability, burning tests, temperature test, shake test and extraction test. These test results confirm that 100% needle-punched nonwoven nettle fibrous assembly can be effectively used for oil spill cleanup applications.