Novel Janus magnetic micro particle synthesis and its applications as a demulsifier for breaking heavy crude oil and water emulsion

• P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe3O4 Janus particles in micro scale were prepared by solvothermal process.
• P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe3O4 effectively attached to the stable emulsified water droplets in emulsion.
• The obtained Janus particles expressed excellent recycling property for separation of water in crude oil emulsion.
• The recycled P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe3O4 retained its interfacial activity, surface morphology after demulsification.

This paper focuses on the synthesis of micro scale Poly(methylmethacrylate-acrylic acid-divinylbenzene) iron oxide Janus magnetic submicronic particles and the investigation of their interfacial properties and demulsifying capacity. The surface morphology, polymerization process and magnetic properties of the magnetic Janus submicronic particles were characterized by laser particle size analyzer, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer. The interfacial activity and high hydrophilic nature of P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe3O4 Janus magnetic submicronic particles allowed them to be effectively attached to stable emulsified water droplets in heavy crude oil water emulsion. Janus magnetic submicronic particles tagged water droplets were readily removed by an external magnetic field. Our experimental results showed efficient removal of the water from the heavy crude oil emulsion. It was found that external magnetic field enhances the coalescence of magnetically tagged water droplets in an emulsion. The magnetic property of P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe3O4 allowed the used Janus magnetic submicronic particles to be readily recycled by magnetic separation and solvent washing. The recycled P(MMA-AA-DVB)/Fe3O4 was found to retain its interfacial activity and was effective in breaking the heavy crude oil water emulsion. This study demonstrated that Janus magnetic submicronic particles demulsification represented a new route of removing emulsified water from crude oil and water emulsions.

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