LAUSR

Abstract Superhydrophobic oil sorbent was prepared by coating raw kapok fibers with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, followed by surface modification with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyl-triethoxysilane (PTES). The TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited an anatase structure as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Clusters of TiO2 nanoparticles were observed on the surface of the kapok fibers after hydrothermal process. On the other hand, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the effective attachment of PTES onto the TiO2-based kapok nanocomposite after surface modification. Maximum oil sorption capacities of modified kapok fibers were investigated using diesel, gasoline, chloroform and vegetable oil. The maximum sorption capacities were 44.78, 39.48, 61.94, and 72.79 g/g, respectively. This shows that the PTES modified kapok-TiO2 nanocomposite is very promising oil sorbent.