Preparation and Properties of Kapok-g-Polystyrene Oil Absorbent

A kapok-g-polystyrene oil absorbent was prepared with benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The effects of the initiator concentration, monomer concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time on the oil absorbency were investigated. FT\|IR spectra confirmed that styrene was grafted onto kapok chains. Adsorpotion results indicated that when initiator concentration was 177 mmol/L, monomer concentration was 016 mol/L, reaction temperature was 80 °C and reaction time was 2 h, the optimum oil absorption capacity was 654 g/g and 432 g/g for chloroform and toluene respectively. The adsorption rate on the oil absorbent was quite fast and the adsorption equilibrium can be reached within about 15 min. The oil absorbent could be easily regenerated and reused.