Preparation of Carbon‐Based Nanodemulsifiers Derived from ZIF‐8 and their Demulsification Performance for Water‐in‐Oil Emulsions

Abstract In this study, a carbon‐based nanodemulsifier (ZIF‐8@CNS) was prepared in order to lessen the harmful effects of crude oil emulsion on mechanical equipment and the environment and to provide a green and efficient demulsifier. A novel hydrophilic/lipophilic carbon‐based nanodemulsifier ZIF‐8@CNS was prepared by solvothermal method using ZIF‐8 and carbon nanospheres (CNS) as raw materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) showed that ZIF‐8@CNS was successfully compounded. The interfacial activity experiment showed that the carbon nanospheres combined with ZIF‐8 had better hydrophilic and lipophilic balance and were more easily distributed at the oil‐water interface. The demulsification experiment of water‐in‐toluene emulsion with water content of 1 % was carried out. The results showed that when the dosage of ZIF‐8@CNS with 10 % carbon content was 300 mg/L, the residual water content in the emulsion oil phase was only 0.09 % within 15 min at room temperature. In addition, we propose a possible demulsification mechanism of the demulsifier. ZIF‐8@CNS is environmentally friendly and an effective oil‐water phase separation material with broad application prospects.