Re: What polymers can absorb oil

Hi Lacey,

Well, there are quite a few polymers that can be used to absorb oil.  One 
of the most common examples I can think of would be cellulose, which is 
the main ingredient in cotton (cotton is about 95% cellulose).  Just think 
of how quickly oil is absorbed into a cotton T-shirt!  Kitchen towel 
(paper) is also made mostly of cellulose.

The most important property a polymer must posses to absorb oil is that it 
needs a very large surface area.  The reason why cotton (cellulose) is so 
good at absorbing oil is due the fact that it is made from fibres.  If the 
fibre is made up from lots of fine strands all bunched together, the 
surface area of the polymer is large and has many gaps between the 
strands.  This allows the oil to flow into the gaps by cappilliary action 
and is held between the fibres and strands.  Think of a sponge absorbing 
water.

Polymers that absorb oil are used often - such as the floating booms used 
to contain oil slicks at sea.  They are also used to stuff small pillows 
that are used in chemical spill kits and work much like the booms.

Apart from cellulose-type polymers (cotton, paper and rayon), other 
textile materials could be used, such as polyester.  You could try 
comparing these materials with different kinds of polystyrene packing 
chips.


Hope this helps Lacey & good luck with your science project.


Chris Wilson, R&D Chemist, Cooper Vision,
Southampton, Hampshire, England.