Removal of hydrophobic contaminants
Compositions and methods are disclosed for remediating environmental contaminants when such contaminants primarily include hydrophobic materials such as petroleum.
1. A composition that comprises alkylated fumed silica nanoparticles and nanostrands that sorbs hydrocarbons to form a solid mass that is buoyant in water.
2. The composition of claim 1 which both absorbs and adsorbs said hydrocarbons.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said alkylation comprises multiplicities of methyl groups.
4. The composition of claim 3 wherein said silica nanoparticles and nanostrands comprise a mixture of:
fumed silica treated with dimethyl dichlorosilane,
fumed silica treated with polydimethyl siloxane, and
fumed silica treated with hexamethyldisilazane.
5. The composition of claim 1 which further comprises granules of porous heat-expandable siliceous volcanic rock.
6. The composition of claim 1 which further comprises a sorbent for malodors associated with hydrocarbons.
7. The composition of claim 6 wherein said sorbent is a high surface area fumed silica treated with alkoxide and having a high degree of hydroxyl groups on said surface.
8. The composition of claim 1 which further includes an adsorbent for heavy metals.
9. The composition of claim 8 wherein said adsorbent is a nanocaged cation exchanger.
10. The composition of claim 6 which further includes an adsorbent for heavy metals.
11. The composition of claim 10 wherein said adsorbent is a nanocaged cation exchanger.
12. The composition of claim 6 which further contains an adsorbent for nitrogen compounds.
13. The composition of claim 12 wherein said adsorbent is a zeolite.