Melamine-Maleic Acid Polyamide Adduct / Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers as a Novel Adsorbent for Removal of Methyelene Blue Dye from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Efficient removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions is crucial for addressing environmental pollution. This study investigates the potential of Melamine-maleic acid polyamide adduct/polyacrylonitrile (ME-MA amide polymer/PAN) nanofibers as a novel adsorbent for MB dye removal. Characterization via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed surface morphology changes, with fiber diameters ranging from 1 to 3 μm. Thermal stability analysis demonstrated enhanced stability for ME-MA/PAN compared to pure PAN fibers. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, amide, and thiol groups on the nanoparticle surface, covalently attached to the nanofiber surface. Through electrospinning, ME-MA/PAN composites were synthesized, showing promising capabilities for dye removal. Optimal conditions were observed at pH 12 and a ME-MA PAN dose of 0.02 g. MB removal efficiency increased with higher initial dye concentrations, peaking at 30 mg/L, and higher temperatures up to 40°C. Adsorption isotherm models indicated Langmuir adsorption capacity (Qm) of 111.10 mg g−1 and a separation factor (RL) of 0.297, with Freundlich constants (1/n) and KF values of 0.418 and 22.9, respectively. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies revealed favorable conditions for MB dye removal, validating ME-MA amide polymer/PAN nanofiber composites as environmentally friendly and effective materials for eliminating toxic MB dye from aqueous solutions. This research highlights the potential of ME-MA/PAN nanofibers in addressing dye pollution, suggesting their application in wastewater treatment for sustainable environmental management. Further investigation into regeneration methods and scalability is recommended for practical implementation in real-world scenarios.