Synthesis of Multiple Foams for the

Removal of Oil from Contaminated Water

Juliana Tichota
Niles North High School

Data
Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3 Figure 4

Data Analysis
As shown in Figure 1, the average mass change of the sponges during absorbance testing ranged very widely, from 29.01% to
96.10%. The most absorbent sponge by far was Group A, the control. During reusability testing (shown in Figure 2), a smaller range of
average percent mass change was observed, from 4.35% to 21.25% during Round 3. The most absorbent sponge over time was Group
B, the teflon-functionalized sponge. This data demonstrates a difference in single-use absorbance efficiency and repeated-use
absorbance efficiency that is crucial to the conclusion of the experiment. Figure 3 shows the average contact angle between one drop
of water and each sponge. The higher the contact angle, the more hydrophobic the sponge, and so the control was the most
hydrophobic of the sponges according to this data. This is consistent with the data in Table 1 in which it is shown that the control has
the highest single-use absorbance capacity. Hydrophobicity corresponds to oil absorbance, and therefore the most absorbent sponge
should be the most hydrophobic, a conclusion supported by the data in Tables 1 and 2.
Figure 1 demonstrates the ability of each sponge to remove oil from water. It also clearly demonstrates that Group A displays the
highest absorbance capacity of the four sponges. Figure 2 displays the reusability of each sponge with regard to percent mass, while
Figures 4-7 show the change in absorbance capacity over time of each sponge. Figure 4 emphasizes both initial absorbance capacity
and decrease in absorbance capacity over time based on y-axis coordinate and slope,, and shows that the absorbance of Group B
decreases the least over time because it has the lowest slope of a best fit line. Figure 2 shows that trial B.3 has the highest capacity
out of all Round 3 capacities, demonstrating that Group B is most able to retain absorbance capacity over repeated usage.

Experimental Error
There were many possibilities for experimental error in this experiment. During the synthesis and functionalization procedures, any number of
small measurement errors could have been made. If any unclean materials were used, they could have affected the resultant sponge surface
structure. Many calculations and measurements were made during the synthesis and functionalization procedures, and due to human error, they
could have been slightly off. During the experimental procedure, such a small quantity of oil was tested that any small mismeasurement could
have had an effect on the results. The sponges used could have been slightly nonuniform in shape or size. Therefore, the surface area exposed to
the oil could have varied slightly, potentially affecting the absorption capabilities slightly. Similarly, the sponges and oil/water/petri dish system
were both measured before and after exposure, and both mass changes were calculated to avoid error. However, these were not always equal,
demonstrating potential systematic error in measurement. Any of these potential areas of experimental error could have had a slight effect on the
results of this experiment.