Chemical modification of hygroscopic magnesium carbonate into superhydrophobic and oleophilic sorbent suitable for removal of oil spill in water

- A superhydrophobic and oleophilic sorbent powder was developed by surface modification of commercially available hygroscopic magnesium carbonate with palmitic acid.
- The sorbent powder is capable of scavenging oil for about three times its weight.
- Reusability test of the sorbent powder infers the retention of hydrophobic as well as oleophilic character even after three times of re-use.
- The powder was found to possess sufficient buoyancy, high rate of uptake and selectivity towards oil which is necessary for oil spill clean-ups.