Production of polymeric composite material for oil removal from aqueous solution

In this study, nanocomposite materials with nanocrystalline cellulose (NCS) reinforced polymer matrix (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)) were produced. In the study, cellulose was first prepared from biomass and then nanocrystalline cellulose (NKS) was prepared from cellulose. In order to make the polymeric composite material to be used in oil removal environmentally friendly, sustainable and renewable, lettuce waste (MR) and seaweed (DY) were used as biomass for cellulose production. Celluloses were extracted from plant waste materials. Then, celluloses were converted into crystalline form (NKS) by applying various processes. In the next step, NKSs were combined with PVA polymer to produce nanocomposite materials and used in various tests for oil/water separation. Finally, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Inverse Gas Chromatography (TGK), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analyses were used to investigate the thermal behavior, chemical structure, morphological and surface properties of the raw materials, NKSs and composites. In addition to all these analyses, adsorption test, drop test, oil drop removal test by using oil/water and oil emülsions and also characterization tests were applied to the raw materials by using oil/water and oily emulsions. As a result of the studies, biodegradable, sustainable and environmentally friendly nanocomposite material was produced to be developed for the treatment of oily wastewater. Analyses and tests have shown that nanocelluloses obtained from plant wastes can be used as fillers in a biodegradable polymer in nanocomposite material production.