Valorization of Coconut Coir Fiber: Comparative Analysis of Treatments for Enhanced Oil Adsorption in Oily Water and Pure Oil

Oil spills pose severe environmental threats, causing extensive damage to marine ecosystems and demanding effective cleanup methods. Bio-adsorbents like coconut coir have gained attention for their eco-friendly and cost-effective nature. However, untreated coconut coir has limitations in oil adsorption capacity, prompting exploration of treatment methods to enhance its effectiveness.

This study systematically compares different coconut coir treatments for oil adsorption under varied parameters in both oily water and pure oil conditions. Characterization techniques including Low Vacuum Scanning Electron Microscopy (LVSEM), contact angle measurement, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to analyse structural and chemical modifications induced by physical, chemical, and thermal treatments.

It was observed that the chemical and thermal treatments increased pore sites, enhancing coir’s suitability for oil adsorption. Acidic treatment proved most effective in oily water conditions, achieving an oil adsorption capacity of 163.74 mg/g and removal percentage of 40.67%. Untreated coir performed best in pure oil, adsorbing 685.78 mg/g with a removal percentage of 0.79%. This result is consistent with contact angle measurements, indicating that coconut coir’s simultaneous adsorption of water and oil limits its adsorption sites and reduces performance in oily water conditions.

Despite enhancements in the oil adsorption capacity of coconut coir through various treatments, its capacity remains comparatively lower than that of other bio-adsorbents. This research concludes that while treatment methods can enhance the oil adsorption performance of coconut coir, further studies are necessary to develop more effective treatment processes and improve its competitive edge as a bio-adsorbent for oil spill remediation.