Fabrication of Electrospun Chitosan/Nylon 6 Nanofibrous Membrane toward Metal Ions Removal and Antibacterial Effect

Akram R Jabur,Laith K Abbas,Saja A Moosa

doi:10.1155/2016/5810216

Akram R Jabur, Laith K Abbas + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5810216

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Abstract

Nylon 6/Chitosan membranes were fabricated by electrospinning onto a Millipore glass fiber filter to produce nanofibrous filter. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water contact angle (WCA) were done to characterize the produced filter. Filter removal capability (adsorption) for metal ions was investigated for lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) and sodium chloride (NaCl). The antibacterial effect of the Nylon 6/Chitosan was investigated for Escherichia coli. Removal optimum values for Pb(NO3)2 and NaCl reached 87% and 75%, respectively. This research demonstrated that Nylon 6/Chitosan nanofibrous membrane has an enormous applicable potential removal for metal ions from aqueous solutions, antibacterial activity reaching 96%, and reasonable inhibition zone against Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Highlights

Removal of pathogens, chemicals, and heavy metals to produce clean drinking water is the most important factor that water purification focuses on
The results indicate a significant improvement in hydrophilicity of a membrane which is increased by increasing the Chitosan content
It is accepted to say that the amine group of Chitosan can react with the anionic groups on the bacterial cell surface

Summary

Introduction

Chemicals, and heavy metals to produce clean drinking water is the most important factor that water purification focuses on. Chitosan and chitin are able to remove metals and dyes so that they can be used to clean water; this is due to the adsorption of the metals and dyes to the cationic amine functional groups on chitosan. Charged dye like reactive Black 5 can be removed by Chitosan. It can positively charge in an acid environment and electrostatic forces are responsible for dye removal. It had been mentioned in the results that changing the molecular weight (MW) of chitosan from 80,100 to 308,300 reduces chitosan’s ability to adsorb dye [10, 11]. Nanofibers and in particular Chitosan nanofibers are better in removing metals, chemicals, and bacteria from water [11]

Experimental Part

Antimicrobial Test

Results and Discussion

Results

Conclusions