Biowaste-Derived Pectin-Collagen Hybrid Backbone based Semi-Interpenetrating Network for Efficient Petroleum Fraction-Water Separation

A novel biocompatible semi-IPN was synthesized through graft copolymerization of polyvinyl alcohol onto the biowaste-derived hybrid pectin-collagen backbone isolated from orange peels and fish collagen wastes, respectively. Meticulous optimization of various reaction parameters was carried out to obtain a semi-IPN with maximum water uptake capacity. The equilibrium water uptake capacity of the semi-IPN was evaluated in three distinct petroleum fraction-H₂O emulsions viz. petrol-water (2.9313 g/g), diesel-water (3.4834 g/g) and petroleum ether-water (1.8586 g/g). The equilibrium water uptake capacity in the diesel-water emulsion was found to be higher than that in the petrol-water and petroleum ether-water emulsions. The water penetration into the semi-IPN network occurred through a Fickian diffusion mechanism as evident from the water uptake kinetics providing slope (n) < 0.5 for all petroleum fractions-H₂O emulsions. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated a significantly higher thermal stability in case of the semi-IPN compared with both pectin and collagen. The findings reveal a great potential of the biowaste- derived superabsorbent for effective water removal from diverse petroleum fractions. The present study involving the ‘waste-to-wealth’ approach offers a sustainable and green alternative for the efficient petroleum fraction-water emulsion separations in petroleum and related industries.