A multifunctional hybrid material based on sepiolite for environmental recovery and bio-remediation is described. In particular, the invention describes the design and development of suitably functionalized hybrid nanomaterials starting from sepiolite and the subsequent study of the absorbent and degrading properties in relation to aromatic hydrocarbons, by activating hydrocarbon-clastic bacteria. These nanomaterials have been prepared in order to remove hydrocarbon pollutants (e.g. oil) in natural matrices (marine environment), with potential applications in the field of environmental remediation.

A method of fabricating an foam includes providing a foam comprising a base material. The base material is coated with an inorganic material using at least one of an atomic layer deposition (ALD), a molecular layer deposition (MLD), or sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) process. The SIS process includes at least one cycle of exposing the foam to a first metal precursor for a first predetermined time and a first partial pressure. The first metal precursor infiltrates at least a portion of the base material and binds with the base material. The foam is exposed to a second co-reactant precursor for a second predetermined time and a second partial pressure. The second co-reactant precursor reacts with the first metal precursor, thereby forming the inorganic material on the base material. The inorganic material infiltrating at least the portion of the base material. The inorganic material is functionalized with a material.

A method of treating wood chips to be used as a media for ameliorating oil spills on land or water involves heating in a mixture of petroleum wax and vegetable oil to remove moisture content and open the pores of the wood chip to allow the oil/wax blend to penetrate into the interior of the wood chips and subsequently grinding up the chips to a predetermined mesh size. The ground chips impregnated with wax/oil are then blended with magnetic iron ore concentrate and packaged/bagged for later distribution on an oil slick. The magnetic iron ore concentrate clings to the ground, oil/wax coated wood chips and facilitates retrieving the ground chips that have absorbed the spilled oil using a magnetic pick-up.

A method of treating wood chips to be used as a media for ameliorating oil spills on land or water involves heating in a mixture of petroleum wax and vegetable oil to remove moisture content and open the pores of the wood chip to allow the oil/wax blend to penetrate into the interior of the wood chips and subsequently grinding up the chips to a predetermined mesh size. The ground chips impregnated with wax/oil are then blended with magnetic iron ore concentrate and packaged/bagged for later distribution on an oil slick. The magnetic iron ore concentrate clings to the ground, oil/wax coated wood chips and facilitates retrieving the ground chips that have absorbed the spilled oil using a magnetic pick-up.

An absorbent is provided, which is produced from component A, a foaming agent, and component B, a resin. Furthermore, a device and a method for producing the absorbent and a method for absorbing a liquid by means of the absorbent are provided.

An absorbent is provided, which is produced from component A, a foaming agent, and component B, a resin. Furthermore, a device and a method for producing the absorbent and a method for absorbing a liquid by means of the absorbent are provided.

A multi-functional hybrid material based on natural clays for environmental bio-remediation and recover), is disclosed. In particular, the invention discloses the design and development of appropriately functionalized nanohybrid materials starting from nanostructured clays and the subsequent study of the absorbent properties in relation to hydrocarbons, heavy metals, chemical pollutants, oils, particulate, and microplastics. These nanomaterials were prepared in order to remove the hydrocarbon pollutants (for example oil) and metal pollutants in natural matrices (marine environment), with potential applications in the field of environmental remediation.

A multi-functional hybrid material based on natural clays for environmental bio-remediation and recover), is disclosed. In particular, the invention discloses the design and development of appropriately functionalized nanohybrid materials starting from nanostructured clays and the subsequent study of the absorbent properties in relation to hydrocarbons, heavy metals, chemical pollutants, oils, particulate, and microplastics. These nanomaterials were prepared in order to remove the hydrocarbon pollutants (for example oil) and metal pollutants in natural matrices (marine environment), with potential applications in the field of environmental remediation.

The invention relates to chemical-based methods and products for mitigating the impact of an oil spill, that act via mechanisms which include reducing adhesiveness, herding, thickening and gelling. N-fatty acid amino acid (FA-AA) conjugates display oil-herding behavior when formulated as a salt, or the free acid in water-miscible organic solvents. Various salts of FA-AA conjugates are water soluble and can herd oils and increase the thickness of the oil layer. Replacement of the acid group of fatty acid α-amino acid conjugates with other groups that act as hydrogen bond donors and acceptors results in potent phase selective organo gellants. The oil thickeners or gellants include can be prepared from biobased feedstocks, have low toxicity, high capacity for oil and reduction of the need to use an organic solvent to apply the thickener or gellant to an oil and water mixture in order to gel the oil phase. ##STR00001##

The invention relates to chemical-based methods and products for mitigating the impact of an oil spill, that act via mechanisms which include reducing adhesiveness, herding, thickening and gelling. N-fatty acid amino acid (FA-AA) conjugates display oil-herding behavior when formulated as a salt, or the free acid in water-miscible organic solvents. Various salts of FA-AA conjugates are water soluble and can herd oils and increase the thickness of the oil layer. Replacement of the acid group of fatty acid α-amino acid conjugates with other groups that act as hydrogen bond donors and acceptors results in potent phase selective organo gellants. The oil thickeners or gellants include can be prepared from biobased feedstocks, have low toxicity, high capacity for oil and reduction of the need to use an organic solvent to apply the thickener or gellant to an oil and water mixture in order to gel the oil phase. ##STR00001##