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Nanocomposite Sodium Alginate Xerogel for Oil Spill Remediation Applications

JSHS · 2025

Cain Patel, Lesley Carnes · Woodward Academy, College Park, GA

Overview

A calcium -crosslinked sodium alginate (NaAlg) nanocomposite xerogel was synthesized as a biodegradable sorbent for oil spill remediation. Due to the high surface energy of the base polymer, the xerogel was functionalized with silicon dioxide dimethyl silyl ate nanoparticles and stearic acid to amplify porosity and instill hydrophobic properties. This functionalization resulted in the cultivation of several desirable mechanical properties, such as aqueous flotation and high tensile strength. Carboxyl ( -COOH), hydroxyl ( -OH), and methyl ( -CH₃) groups augmented crosslinking through the facilitation of ionic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions to induce a three -dimensional (3D) network, resulting in gelation. The xerogel exhibited a maximum absorption of 5.6 (g/g) in can ola oil (78.2 cSt) and demonstrated high selectivity in low-viscosity oils. The average variable cost of the xerogel was around 60 times less than the traditional production cost for aerogels. These results imply that economically feasible and reusable xerogel nanocomposites hold significant potential for oil recovery applications.

Competition history

  • JSHS 2025 Category not listed

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Source: Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

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