Amphipilic magnetic nanoparticles and aggregates to remove hydrocarbons and metal ions and synthesis thereof

Data di pubblicazione

24-06-2014

Codice

CH.14.001.A

Stato

Licenza a Spin off

Data di priorità

20-05-2014

Titolare

Politecnico di Milano

Dipartimento

Department of Chemistry Materials and Chemical Engineering

Autori

Davide Moscatelli, Maurizio Masi, Ruggiero Maria Pesce

Descrizione

The invention lies in synthesizing magnetic nanoparticles with an amphiphilic nature, therefore able to be dispersed in aqueous solutions while preserving an affinity with oil phases. The nanoparticles are dispersed in water and through lipophilic interactions they aggregate leading to micro-particles with an extremely high surface area, formed by individual nanoparticles with diameters between 1 and 10 nm.

Campo di applicazione

The union between the magnetic properties of magnetite coming from the core and the amphiphilic nature given by coating makes the NPs stable in water, capable of adsorbing/emulsifying hydrophobic and lipophilic compounds, and at the same time susceptible to magnetic fields. Therefore possible applications are: 1. Removal of hydrocarbons and lipophilic substances (eg. fluorinated compounds, silicone oils, lubricants, etc.) dispersed in water and subsequent purification of the water . The NPs should be capable to cover the oil droplets and, by using a magnetic field, would be possible to move them away from the water that would be easily cleaned by oil dispersed. 2. With the same logic can be applied for the removal of hydrocarbons and lipophilic substances (eg. fluorinated compounds, silicone oils, lubricants, etc.) in polluted soils with consequent reclamation of the same. 3. Extraction of oil and lipophilic substances (eg. fluorinated compounds, silicone oils, lubricants, etc.) from solid systems and the consequent recovery of such substances. An example of such use should be the recovery of bitumen from tar sands.

Vantaggi

The advantages in the using this invention in the fields of application described above are: - An applying method relatively simple compared to common treatments applied; - A significant decrease in the costs of treatment of wastewater and contaminated soils. Furthermore, the particles are completely recyclable and reusable with performance comparable to the newly synthesized particles, after washing with a solvent for the removal of the hydrophobic/lipophilic phase captured.

Contatto

licensing.tto@polimi.it