Status : Verified
| Personal Name | Pondara, Janine Claire R. |
|---|---|
| Resource Title | Development and Adsorption Performance of Ethylenediamine and Zein-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Oil Droplet Removal |
| Date Issued | 21 October 2026 |
| Abstract | To remove oil droplets from oil-in-water emulsions, ethylenediamine (EDA)- and zein-functionalized carbon nanotubes were synthesized and evaluated as adsorbents for demulsification. The functionalized CNTs were designed to enhance oil droplet adsorption through surface modification, where EDA provided accessible amine groups for electrostatic interaction, whereas zein formed a protein-based coating with amide, amino, and hydrophobic domains that enhanced oil affinity. The materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), confirming successful functionalization through changes in morphology, appearance of amine and amide-related functional groups, increased surface disorder, and incorporation of organic functional layers. Adsorption behavior was evaluated through kinetic and isotherm modeling and by examining the effects of temperature, pH, salt, and surfactants. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting that oil droplet removal was mainly governed by strong surface interactions. Isotherm results showed that the Freundlich and Langmuir models were applicable, with maximum adsorption capacities reaching 3504 mgg-1 for EDA-functionalized CNTs and 2645 mgg-1 for zein-functionalized CNTs at 60°C. Adsorption capacity generally improved at elevated temperature, while pH, salt concentration, CTAB, and SDS affected performance by altering electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic interaction, and emulsion stability. Recyclability tests showed that the functionalized CNTs maintain good regeneration efficiency over repeated cycles, with EDA-functionalized CNTs retaining approximately 80% efficiency after six cycles. These findings indicate that functionalized CNTs, particularly EDA-functionalized CNTs, are promising adsorbents for oil droplet removal and wastewater treatment. |
| Degree Course | Master of Science in Environmental Engineering |
| Language | English |
| Keyword | ethylenediamine; demulsification; zein; oil droplet removal; functionalized carbon nanotubes |
| Material Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
Preliminary Pages
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Category : P - Author wishes to publish the work personally.
Access Permission : Limited Access