Porous crosslinked copolymers of octadecyl acrylate with acrylic acid as sorbers for crude petroleum spills

Abstract Bulk and suspension polymerization were used to prepare octadecyl acrylate/acrylic acid ( ODA / AA ) copolymers. AA content ranged from 0 to 90 mol%. Divinyl benzene was used as a crosslinker at several concentrations (1, 4 and 10 wt%). Isopropyl alcohol or dioctyl phthalate and methyl benzoate were used as the reaction solvents in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) as a dispersing agent and 2,2‐azobis isobutyronitrile as the initiator. The polymers so prepared were coated onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) nonwoven ( NWPET ) fibers. The effects of copolymerization, feed composition, crosslinker concentration and reaction medium or solvent on morphology including porosity and the dynamic mechanical and swelling properties of the crosslinked polymers were determined. Swelling tests were performed in toluene and in 10% crude petroleum diluted with toluene. Bulk polymerization does not result in the formation of a continuous liquid absorbing material while suspension polymerization enables sorbers to be obtained with desired properties. Coating ODA / AA copolymers onto NWPET increases liquid absorption. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry