Abstract
This study investigated the modification of cotton, linen, and blended fabrics to impart combined hydrophobic and oleophilic properties. The treatment was carried out using a sol-gel composition based on sodium silicate, potassium methylsiliconate, citric acid, and glyceryl monostearate. Due to the low solubility of glyceryl monostearate, the process was carried out in two stages: first, the fabrics were impregnated with an aqueous solution of sodium silicate (100 ml/l), citric acid (10 g/l), and potassium methylsiliconate (20–60 g/l). Then, after drying, a glyceryl monostearate solution (10–20 g/l) was applied by spraying. The adsorption capacity of the materials for petroleum products was 1.5868 ± 0.1434 g/g for cotton fabric, 1.6968 ± 0.0453 g/g for linen fabric, and 0.4792 ± 0.0137 g/g for blended fabric. An increase in water contact angle for cotton fabric (90–125°), linen fabric (95–140°), and blended fabric (110–145°) indicates a reduction in surface free energy and, consequently, an increase in hydrophobicity. Conversely, for a nonpolar liquid phase (model petroleum product), the opposite trend is observed. A decrease in the contact angle for cotton fabric (30–45°) and linen fabric (25–35°) indicates enhanced wetting by the oil phase and, therefore, improved oleophilic properties. Linen fabric, demonstrated best results, holding promise for oil spill response and wastewater treatment.