Exfoliated Graphite as a New Sorbent for Removal of Engine Oils from Wastewater

Abstract

A commercial exfoliated graphite was used for checking its sorption capabilities for removing engine oil and dyes from wastewater. Slight oxidation of exfoliated graphite in the air at 400 °C was found to be effective to improve adsorption capacity for dyes, methylene blue and methyl orange. However, its treatment in HNO₃ reduced all capacities for engine oil and dyes. A possibility for simultaneous removal of oil and dyes dispersed in wasted water was revealed.