Electrospun carbon nanofibers/TiO2-PAN hybrid membranes for effective removal of metal ions and cationic dye

Abstract

Electrospun (CNFs/TiO2-PAN) hybrid membrane was synthesized using the base polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer with carbon nanofibers (CNF)/TiO2 nanoparticles at different weight percentage (%). SEM images confirmed the formation of PAN nanofiber membrane with diameter ranging from 200 nm to 260 nm after incorporation of CNFs/TiO2 nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the presence of functional groups confirming the successful incorporation of CNFs/TiO2 in PAN nanofiber membranes. The water contact angle (WCA) of CNFs/TiO2-PAN hybrid membrane decreased from 38° to 18° by addition of different concentration CNFs/TiO2 (0.5 wt% to 6 wt %). The rejection performance of hybrid CNFs/TiO2-PAN membrane was evaluated with different metal ions (such as Pb2+, Cu2+, Cd2+) and cationic dye (such as methylene blue (MB)) from wastewater. The adsorption studies of the heavy metal ions were performed at different pH (3–7), metal ion concentrations (50 ppm to 300 ppm) and time (48 h). CNFs/TiO2 –PAN hybrid membranes exhibited a maximum rejection around 87%, 73%, 66%, for Pb2+, Cu2+, Cd2+ metal ions and 84% for methylene blue dye, respectively. The developed electrospun CNFs/TiO2-PAN hybrid membranes could be adopted for the removal of metal ions and dyes from polluted drinking water source.