Core–sheath nanofibrous membranes based on poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene), polyacrylonitrile, and zinc oxide nanoparticles for photoreduction of Cr(VI) ions in aqueous solutions

Abstract

This investigation addresses the design of a series of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)/polyacrylonitrile-zinc oxide(ABS/PAN-ZnO) membranes by coaxial electrospinning. In the first instance, an optimization of ABS and PAN electrospinning was performed, thus establishing suitable compositional and processing parameters for obtaining homogenous fibers. Then, coaxial electrospinning of ABS and PAN solutions containing different amount of ZnO nanoparticles was carried out. The coaxial morphology of the nanofibers and ZnO distribution/dispersion were studied by the combination of several techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive analysis, contact angle, and thermogravimetric analysis. The performance of the obtained membranes for chromium (VI) ions removal from aqueous solutions was assessed by photoreduction using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Electrospun mats composed of ABS (core)/PAN (sheath) embedded with 30 wt % of ZnO nanoparticles exhibited the highest chromium photoreduction (about 80%), suggesting the potential use of these membranes as filters for water purification.

Photocatalytic Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Polymeric Microfibers Surface Modified with ZnO Nanoparticles

“…Regarding the coaxial morphology of the fibers and NpZnO distribution, Figure 3(d) shows the SEM micrograph of the cross-section of an ABS/PAN-NpZnO fiber at 15 wt.% ZnO where it can be evidenced a thin layer of PAN surrounding the ABS core, thus demonstrating the coaxiality of the morphology. Moreover, analysis by EDS spectra from different zones of the coaxial structures demonstrated that the fiber core consisted only of a carbon and nitrogen (ABS) compound, while the sheath contained carbon, nitrogen and large amount of zinc elements, corroborating that NpZnO nanoparticles were exclusively located in the PAN sheath, as it was described in [32].…”

“…The detailed optimization of the preparation procedure was reported before by our group [32]. Briefly, precursor solutions of ABS/PAN in DMF were prepared at a concentration of 35/6 % m/v, under vigorous stirring for 24 h at 25 °C.…”

“…In a previous work carried out by our working group [32], the morphological characteristics of the obtained fibers were determined in detail. All systems (ABS/PAN and ABS/PAN-NpZnO with different amount of NpZnO) exhibited uniform morphology and rough surface (as the one presented in Figure 3(c)), and the average diameters of the fibers showed a decrease in their average diameter from 1.1 µm to 500, 300 and 200 nm, when increasing the NpZnO concentration from 0, 15, 25 to 30 wt.%, respectively.…”

A modular platform based on electrospun carbon nanofibers and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel for sensor applications

“…Electrospun PAN nanofiber mats (E‐PAN) were obtained by electrospinning technique with a single nozzle using a electrospinning machine (Yflow model 2.2.D‐350, Spain) 49 . Briefly, a 6 wt% PAN/DMF solution was prepared by stirring (300 rpm) for 12 h at room temperature.…”

“…Electrospun PAN nanofiber mats (E-PAN) were obtained by electrospinning technique with a single nozzle using a electrospinning machine (Yflow model 2.2.D-350, Spain). 49…”