Synthesis and application of monodisperse hydrophobic magnetite nanoparticles as an oil spill collector using an ionic liquid

Abstract

In this work, a new facile green method was proposed to prepare monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles at room temperature with controlled shape and size. In this respect, a new ionic liquid based on 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium oleate (AMO) was prepared and applied as a capping and stabilizing agent for magnetite at low temperature. The chemical structure, morphology, particle size, crystal structure and monodispersity of magnetite capped with AMO were determined. The magnetic properties and porosity of the prepared magnetite nanomaterials were evaluated using different analytical techniques. The efficiency of the prepared magnetite nanomaterials as an oil spill collector confirmed their high selectivity and oil collection efficiency on the surface of seawater using a low concentration of nanomaterials in relation to the size of the crude oil spill.