Abstract: The modification of sand with superhydrophobic silica/wax nanoparticles may provide for water storage, applicable, for example, in desert environments. In particular, highly thermal stable superhydrophobic coats for sand are made of nanoparticles composed of superhydrophobic silica capped with paraffin wax. Superhydrophobic sand modified by such nanoparticles addresses issues of water storage in desert environments, capitalizing on sand resource utilization. Superhydrophobic sand, as modified, has excellent water repellency and great water-holding capacity. The superhydrophobic sand modified with superhydrophobic silica/wax nanoparticles can be applied for the desert water storage for agriculture and planting.

Abstract: Hydrophobic nanoparticle compositions include silica nanoparticles capped with asphaltene succinimide alkoxy silane (ASAS). The nanoparticles can have a particle size ranging from about 20 nm to about 10000 ?m. The nanoparticle compositions can be used as a coating for raw sand to provide a super-hydrophobic sand. The nanoparticle compositions can be used as a coating for a polyurethane (PU) sponge to provide a super-hydrophobic sponge. The super-hydrophobic sand and/or super-hydrophobic sponge can be used to collect crude oil deposited in aquatic environments as a result of petroleum crude oil spills.

Abstract: Extracts of Matricaria aurea flowers are shown to exhibit anticorrosive activity when used with mild steel in acidic media. A process is shown for obtaining such anticorrosive extracts from the flowers of M. aurea. In particular, certain methanolic, aqueous methanolic and water extracts, as well as ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions, of M. aurea flowers are shown to demonstrate particular anticorrosive activity when used with mild steel in acidic media. An isolated flavonoid compound from M. aurea flowers, designated as apigenin-7-O-?-D-glucoside, is particularly useful for anticorrosive activity when used with mild steel in acidic media.

Abstract: The biosynthesized magnetic metal nanoparticles for oil spill remediation are magnetic nanoparticles capped with an extract of Anthemis pseudocotula. The magnetic nanoparticles are formed by co-precipitation of ferric chloride hexahydrate and ferrous chloride tetrahydrate in an ethanol solution of the extract with the dropwise addition of ammonium hydroxide to raise the pH to between 8 and 11. The extract may be an extract of the aerial parts of Anthemis pseudocotula in a low polar extraction solvent, such as an n-alkane solvent or mono-di-, or trichloromethane. The extract is hydrophobic, improving dispersion of the magnetic nanoparticles in oil spills in seawater, resulting in 90% removal of oil for a 1:10 ratio of nanoparticles:oil by weight.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing bimetallic oxide nanocomposites includes the steps of: providing a first metal salt solution; adding an oxidizing agent to the first metal salt solution while degassing the solution with an inert gas; heating the first metal salt solution; adding a second metal salt solution to the heated first metal salt solution to form a reaction mixture; adding a solution comprising a poly (ionic liquid) into the reaction mixture; adding a first base into the reaction mixture; adding a second base while stirring and maintaining a temperature ranging from about 40° C. to about 65° C. to provide a solution including a bimetallic oxide nanocomposite precipitate. The first metallic salt solution can include FeCl3 dissolved in water. The second metallic salt solution can include CuCl2 dissolved in water. The bimetallic oxide nanocomposites can be combined with epoxy resin to coat a steel stubstrate.