Novel interpenetrating amphiphilic Co‐networks based on compatibilized NBR/SBR‐montmorillonite composites: A study on the oil absorption characteristics

This work explores the fabrication of novel amphiphilic interpenetrating co‐network structures that may afford a reasonable solution to the problem of oil spills. It depends upon compatibilization of the binary immiscible rubber blend, containing the polar acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber and the non‐polar styrene–butadiene rubber. The compatibilization process was accomplished successfully using organic‐inorganic hybrid structures based on montmorillonites, priory treated with a hydrophobic cationic agent to different levels so that they acquire wide range of amphiphilicity. With achieving the goal of compatibilization using bi‐polar montmorillonites, the formed amphiphilic interpenetrating network structures are thought to qualify as oil absorbent materials for oils exhibiting a broad spectrum of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. For this purpose, toluene, which exhibits both polar and non‐polar characters, was chosen as model to predict the oil absorption and swelling extent as a function of the clay philicity. The capacity of oil uptake showed good correlation to the cross‐linking density. The combination of both polar and non‐polar moieties in polymer structures used as oil absorptive materials provides a good tool to control the properties of the resulting materials supposing that the polarity and/or content of the inserted clay are the key variables: toughness offers buoyancy, stability, and easy recovery of absorbed oils irrespective of their polarity. Furthermore, the recovered oil‐swelled materials are suitable for regular oil‐refining processes (economic, no waste, green approach). The developed materials in this work are additionally advantageous because of cost‐effective concerns with respect to other developed materials in recent years in particular in the presence of the clay as one of the main constituents of these structures. This approach can reduce the environmental impacts from oil spills and help recover one of most precious natural resources. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1494–1501, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers