The application of modified polyetheleneterphthalate (pet) nanofibers; characterization and isotherm study

Abstract

In this study, dibenzo crown ether (DB18C6) is used to chemically modify the Electrospun Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) nanofibers. The main parameters influence on the PET nanofiber’s surface modification with crown ether concentration and other solvents has been tested. The PET nanofibers with and without (DB18C6) are put into comparison by scrutinizing FTIR, TGA, SEM, and EDX results. It is to be mentioned that the modification of the PET nanofibers with crown ether is utilized for the extraction of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. For the purpose of evaluating the potential of the chemically modified PET nanofibers as adsorbents to remove MB from aqueous solutions, experiments of batch adsorption are carried out. The effect of MB concentration, solution pH, and shaking time are optimized. Several isotherm models such as Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Dubinin - Radushkevich (D-R) equations are utilized to test the equilibrium results. Owing to the high correlation coefficient (R2), the adsorption of MB into the modified PET is detected through Langmuir model. ΔGo, ΔHo, and ΔSo quantities are estimated. The negative ΔG° values, the positive ΔHo, and ΔSo values indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic.