Magnetic/Polyetherimide-Acrylonitrile Composite Nanofibers for Nickel Ion Removal from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

In this study, a magnetic/polyetherimide-acrylonitrile composite nanofiber membrane with effective adsorption of nickel ions in an aqueous solution was created using a simple electrospinning method. Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were stirred and ultrasonically dispersed into a polyetherimide-acrylonitrile solution to create a homogenous NPs suspension, which was placed in an electrospinning machine to produce a uniform and smooth nanofiber composite membrane. Nanoparticle incorporation into this membrane was confirmed using scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and NPs aqueous stability from a leaching test. The high adsorption capability of the membrane on nickel ions was attributed to the combination of magnetic NPs, polyetherimide-acrylonitrile matrix, and the nanostructure of the membrane. A membrane containing magnetic NPs demonstrated the maximum adsorption capabilities (102 mg/g) of nickel ions in an aqueous solution. Various kinetic and isotherm models were applied to understand the adsorption behavior, such as pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. A polyetherimide-acrylonitrile composite nanofiber membrane containing magnetic NPs could be used as an environmentally friendly and nontoxic adsorbent for the removal of nickel ions in an aqueous medium due to its ease of preparation and use and stability in aqueous mediums.

De Novo Ion-Exchange Membranes Based on Nanofibers

“…The inorganic nanoparticles possessing ion-exchange properties are attractive to be used for heavy metal removal and the NF carriers can circumvent aggregation and increase their active sites. There have been reports on the incorporation of metal oxide nanoparticles [ 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 ], zeolite nanoparticles [ 105 ], and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (Hap NP) [ 106 ] in polymer NF membranes by electrospinning for heavy metal adsorption. For example, Tran et al incorporated zeolite nanoparticles into electrospun cellulose acetate fibers to create free-standing IEX-NF membranes [ 107 ].…”

Recent Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities of Membrane Distillation for Heavy Metals Removal

“…Among the available removal techniques, the adsorption method is one of the most cost‐effective methods, which can be used efficiently for the removal of heavy metals from heavy metals‐containing polluted wastewater [44–49] . This method has advantages, which include easy operation, tailored and controlled design to full recovery of heavy metals from wastewater.…”

“…Among the available removal techniques, the adsorption method is one of the most cost-effective methods, which can be used efficiently for the removal of heavy metals from heavy metals-containing polluted wastewater. [44][45][46][47][48][49] This method has advantages, which include easy operation, tailored and controlled design to full recovery of heavy metals from wastewater. The adsorption method consists of a solid-liquid mass transfer process where the heavy metals are known as adsorbate that migrate from the polluted wastewater to the adsorbent, known as solid surface.…”

Carbon Nanodots-Embedded Pullulan Nanofibers for Sulfathiazole Removal from Wastewater Streams

“…However, these methods have some disadvantages when it comes to effective and low-cost removal of antibiotics from wastewater treatment plants. Nanofibers (NFs)-based membranes have recently emerged as efficient adsorbents for environmental contaminants, such as metal ions, dyes, and antibiotics [11][12][13][14][15][16]. Removal of antibiotics using electrospun NFs is still a new and economical method that requires further exploration due to the versatile range of NFs properties, such as porosity, surface area, narrow diameter, permeability of gas, and smaller fiber-to-fiber pore size.…”