Synthesis-Free Phase-Selective Gelator for Oil-Spill Remediation

A new deep eutectic solvent (DES) was developed as a phase-selective gelator for oil-spill remediation. The newly designed nonionic DES is based on a combination of an amide (N-methylacetamide) and a long chain carboxylic acid (lauric acid) and does not require any synthetic procedure besides mixing. Our studies show that the DES works as gelator by forming a gel between lauric acid and the hydrocarbon, whereas the amide serves to form the DES and dissolves in water during the gelation process. In addition, the DES material has gelation properties comparable to those considered as state-of-the-art. Overall, the newly developed material shows a promising future in oil recovery methodologies.