Application of Moss Plant (Barbula Indica) as a Sustainable Material for Oil-Water Separation

https://doi.org/10.65770/CPRC7081

ABSTRACT

In this study, the moss plant species, Barbula indica, was investigated for its crude oil sorption capacity for a potential application as sorbent for the removal of crude oil from water. Moss samples were pretreated with 10% NaOH (mercerization) and hydrothermally at 100°C and 60°C. Crude oil sorption tests conducted with both untreated and pretreated moss biomass yielded the following results: 1.20gg^-1(53.11%), 1.34gg^-1(59.56%), 1.61gg^-1(71.56%), and 1.91gg^-1(84.89%), representing sorption capacity (gg^-1) and percentage sorption (%) for untreated moss, 60°C hydrothermally treated moss, 100°C hydrothermally treated moss, and mercerized (10% NaOH) moss, respectively. The results indicated that pretreatment of the moss led to the enhancement of its crude oil sorption performance. Mercerized moss took up crude oil the most, thus confirming mercerization as the most effective pretreatment method for moss in crude oil sorption. In the hydrothermal treatments, temperature of 100°C was more effective than 60°C. Water sorption test results confirmed that the most hydrophobic material had the highest crude oil sorption capacity. The findings reveal that, with or without pretreatment, Barbula indica has the potential as an excellent material for crude oil-water separation applications.

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