Preparation of Magnetic Porous Microspheres and Their Ability to Remove Oils

Magnetic, porous poly (tripropylene glycol diacrylate) (PTPGDA) microspheres are successfully prepared using a combination of microfluidic emulsification and free-radical polymerization. The porous structure can be precisely controlled by controlling the amount of the oil-phase emulsifier polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR). The effects of PGPR content and pH on the contact angle of the microspheres is investigated. The contact angle of the microspheres increases with the raise of PGPR content, and the hydrophobicity of the microspheres remains stable at different pHs. The microstructure, magnetic properties, and oil adsorption abilities of the microspheres are also studied. The as-prepared microspheres perform adsorption well, the higher the PGPR content, the more pore structures and larger contact angle occurres on the microspheres, which improves the adsorption capacity. In addition, the adsorption capacity of the microspheres for diesel can reach 3.38 g center dot g(-1) when the mass fraction of PGPR in oil phase is 50% w/v. After adsorbing oil, the microspheres can be separated, recovered, and reused by applying an external magnetic field. The magnetic microspheres have good oil adsorption abilities and recyclability, which shows their potential for use in oil removal.