Electrospun Poly(acrylic acid)/Silica Hydrogel Nanofibers Scaffold for Highly Efficient Adsorption of Lanthanide Ions and Its Photoluminescence Performance

Abstract

Combined with the features of electrospun nanofibers and the nature of hydrogel, a novel choreographed poly(acrylic acid)-silica hydrogel nanofibers (PAA-S HNFs) scaffold with excellent rare earth elements (REEs) recovery performance was fabricated by a facile route consisting of colloid-electrospinning of PAA/SiO2 precursor solution, moderate thermal cross-linking of PAA-S nanofiber matrix, and full swelling in water. The resultant PAA-S HNFs with a loose and spongy porous network structure exhibited a remarkable adsorption capacity of lanthanide ions (Ln(3+)) triggered by the penetration of Ln(3+) from the nanofiber surface to interior through the abundant water channels, which took full advantage of the internal adsorption sites of nanofibers. The effects of initial solution pH, concentration, and contact time on adsorption of Ln(3+) have been investigated comprehensively. The maximum equilibrium adsorption capacities for La(3+), Eu(3+), and Tb(3+) were 232.6, 268.8, and 250.0 mg/g, respectively, at pH 6, and the adsorption data were well-fitted to the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order models. The resultant PAA-S HNFs scaffolds could be regenerated successfully. Furthermore, the proposed adsorption mechanism of Ln(3+) on PAA-S HNFs scaffolds was the formation of bidentate carboxylates between carboxyl groups and Ln(3+) confirmed by FT-IR and XPS analysis. The well-designed PAA-S HNFs scaffold can be used as a promising alternative for effective REEs recovery. Moreover, benefiting from the unique features of Ln(3+), the Ln-PAA-S HNFs simultaneously exhibited versatile advantages including good photoluminescent performance, tunable emission color, and excellent flexibility and processability, which also hold great potential for applications in luminescent patterning, underwater fluorescent devices, sensors, and biomaterials, among others.

Tb3+/Eu3+ Complex-Doped Rigid Nanoparticles in Transparent Nanofibrous Membranes Exhibit High Quantum Yield Fluorescence

“…The morphology and fluorescence properties of as-prepared nanofibers are reported. These hybrid nanofibers have potential applications in the fields of optical devices [22] and sensor systems [23].…”

Preparation of electrospun polyurethane/hydrophobic silica gel nanofibrous membranes for waterproof and breathable application

“…PU possesses a wide range of desirable properties such as high hydrophobicity, adjustable pore structure, and reinforced mechanical properties, which have already been used in manufacturing industry . However, the waterproofness of pure PU nanofibrous membranes remains insufficient to allow them to compete with commercial membranes in practical applications . Therefore, it is necessary to make the surface modification of PU nanofibrous membranes.…”

Facile Preparation of Porous Inorganic SiO2 Nanofibrous Membrane by Electrospinning Method

“…The XPS spectrum of Si2p region is displayed in Figure 8(a) with the characteristic peak at the binding energy of 103.7 eV corresponding to Si2p , indicating the state of Si 4+ in porous SiO 2 nanofibers [27]. The peak located at binding energy of 532.8 eV can be assigned to the O 2− in the porous SiO 2 nanofibers (Figure 8(b)).…”