On the Versatile Role of Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers as Photocatalytic Hybrid Materials Applied to Contaminated Water Remediation: A Brief Review

Abstract

A wide variety of materials, strategies, and methods have been proposed to face the challenge of wastewater pollution. The most innovative and promising approaches include the hybrid materials made of polymeric nanofibers and photocatalytic nanoparticles. Electrospun nanofibers with unique properties, such as nanosized diameter, large specific surface area, and high aspect ratio, represent promising materials to support and stabilize photocatalytic nanosized semiconductors. Additionally, the role performed by polymer nanofibers can be extended even further since they can act as an active medium for the in situ synthesis of photocatalytic metal nanoparticles or contribute to pollutant adsorption, facilitating their approach to the photocatalytic sites and their subsequent photodegradation. In this paper, we review the state of the art of electrospun polymer/semiconductor hybrid nanofibers possessing photocatalytic activity and used for the remediation of polluted water by light-driven processes (i.e., based on photocatalytic activity). The crucial role of polymer nanofibers and their versatility in these types of procedures are emphasized.

Electrospun PAN/PEG Nanofibrous Membrane Embedded with a MgO/gC3N4 Nanocomposite for Effective Bone Regeneration

“…The plain PAN and PAN/PEG membranes have interconnected nanofibers, which result from the smooth and soft surface of the membranes with uniform nanofibers with random orientations. But in gC 3 N 4 @PAN/PEG and MgO/gC 3 N 4 @PAN/PEG membranes, the presence of gC 3 N 4 and MgO/gC 3 N 4 nanocomposites is visible as a cluster of small spot particles that are accumulated on the wall of nanofibers . The PAN/PEG, gC 3 N 4 @PAN/PEG, and MgO/gC 3 N 4 @PAN/PEG membranes have an increase in nanofiber diameter compared with plain PAN membranes.…”

“…But in gC 3 N 4 @PAN/ PEG and MgO/gC 3 N 4 @PAN/PEG membranes, the presence of gC 3 N 4 and MgO/gC 3 N 4 nanocomposites is visible as a cluster of small spot particles that are accumulated on the wall of nanofibers. 34 The PAN/PEG, gC 3 N 4 @PAN/PEG, and MgO/gC 3 N 4 @PAN/PEG membranes have an increase in nanofiber diameter compared with plain PAN membranes. The increased diameter of the nanofiber is due to the incorporation of the nanocomposite and additives.…”

Advances in the Application of Electrospun Drug-Loaded Nanofibers in the Treatment of Oral Ulcers

“…Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers embedded with MgO can adsorb copper ions from copper-containing wastewater and recycle them [ 63 ]. Hybrid materials made of polymeric nanofibers and photocatalytic nanoparticles can be applied to polluted water remediation [ 64 ]. In addition, the nanofiber membrane is one of the suitable air-filter materials [ 65 , 66 ].…”

Visible light active dye-sensitizing titanium dioxide/graphene composites with excellent photocatalytic activity

“…Among them, titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is widely used due to its low price, high activity, good chemical stability, and non-toxicity. 8 As a photocatalyst, it has the ability to swiftly and thoroughly disintegrate organic contaminants, including dyes, organophosphorus pesticides, and fuel oils. 9 The degradation process and its products can also be truly green and pollution-free.…”