Pulsed Laser Ablation of Polymer-based Magnetic Nanocomposites for Oil Spill Remediation

Oil spills pose a significant threat to marine life and finding cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions is crucial. In this study, pulsed laser ablation (PLA) was applied to produce polymer-based magnetic nanocomposites for oil spill remediation. The selected polymers (polyvinylpyrrolidone, chitosan, and methyl cellulose) are known for their adsorptive removal of polluting residues from various oil species. PLA was performed on pressed tablets containing magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) and polymers, and the generated particles were collected using an external magnetic field. The chemical composition of the ablated products was analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, while particle sizes were measured using Leica Image Processing and Analysis System. The study demonstrated that PLA is a single-step, green, and efficient technique for preparing magnetic nanocomposites for oil spill treatment. The average particle size of the composites was in the 1.5–4 µm range, considerably smaller than the initial size of the corresponding polymer. The oil/water separation process using these composites was demonstrated, with separation occurring ~ 1 s after applying the magnetic field. These findings suggest that PLA-generated magnetic nanocomposites have significant potential for oil spill remediation applications.