A possible use of a polymeric surfactant as petroleum pollution collector

J.L.RODRÍGUEZ; R. M MINARDI; A.E.CIOLINO; O.I.PIERONI; B.M.VUANO; P.C.SCHULZ

Journal of Surface Science and Technology

Indian Society for Surface Science and Technology

Lugar: West Bengal, India; Año: 2007 vol. 2007 p. 111 - 130

0970-1893

A polymeric amphiphile was synthesised by addition of phosphonate groups to asymmetric terminal double bonds of polybutadiene giving a, b-unsaturated phosphonic acids. The polymeric surfactant was characterized by NMR and FT-IR. The synthesis produces a complex cream-like O/W emulsion containing simultaneously water and toluene. The oil droplets are interconnected by polymer chains avoiding the dispersion of the emulsion in water. When this emulsion is spread on a crude petroleum overflow on water, the oil stain shrink and is absorbed by the cream-like emulsion. The resulting product can be manipulated more easily than the original oil to extract it from the water surface.