Abstract

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A global challenge that has cast the attention of most environmentalist of recent is the crude oil spillage, and the need for extensive study of improving and developing viable natural sorbents in recent years is increasing due to the enormous negative environmental impact of oilspill to the surroundings and the inhabitants. In this paper, crude oil sorbents were developed by varying initiator concentration, monomer ratio and particle sizes from 0.5-2.5wt%, 0.5-2.0wt % and 125-1000µm respectively. The effect studies of the individual and combine factors was carried out using a statistical experimental design matrix using fivelevel central composite design (CCD). Respond surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise and develop equations of the aforementioned variables (initiator concentration, monomer ratio and particle sizes). The optimal absorption- 516% as swelling capacity and 267% lower retention - was achieved at initiator concentration, monomer ratio and particle size of 1.25wt %, 1.50wt % and 562µm respectively. Instrumental analysis were carried out on the optimized sorbent such as: DT-TGA, XRD. However, FIRT analysis was carried out on the unmodified (raw kenaf shive) and modified sorbents. Further computations were done for grafting efficiency (GE), homopolymers and density

Keywords: Sorbent, initiator, crude oil, kenaf shive, Respond surface methodology (RSM)