Oil adsorption ability of Miscanthus floridulus leaves determined using gold nanoparticles

Abstract

This study was to demonstrate the possibility of using Miscanthus floridulus leaves to adsorb oils. The oil adsorption ability of Miscanthus leaves was approximately 3.59???0.19 and 3.91???0.15 (g oil/g leaves) for soybean oil and motor oil, respectively. The adsorption ability of Miscanthus leaves was directly visualized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscop (TEM) using gold nanoparticles that were adsorbed on the surface and edge of M. floridulus leaves. Changes in IR absorbance were used to exhibit specific interactions and the adsorption ability of M. floridulus leaves. The results showed M. floridulus leaves have hydrophobic structure on the leaf surface.