Electrospun PAN nanofibers membrane:
Functionalization and Environmental Applications

Abstract

The Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers membrane has been synthesized by Electrospinning technique. The functionalization of PAN nanofibers membrane has been done using Ethylenediamine (EDA) and Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Then the functionalized PAN/ EDA membrane has been used for the removal of Cr (VI) and PAN/ NaHCO3 membrane has been used for the removal of Malachite Green dye from the aqueous solution. The functionalized Electrospun PAN nanofibers were characterized by FTIR, CHNS and SEM-EDAX techniques. The adsorption of Cr (VI) and Malachite green (dye) by the functionalized Electrospun PAN membrane was studied by UV Visible spectroscopy. The effect of contact time, pH and conc. on the adsorption of Cr (VI) and Malachite Green on the functionalized Electrospun PAN nanofibers surface has been studied. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics study was also done for the adsorption of Malachite green dye by functionalized PAN/ NaHCO3 nanofiber membrane. The adsorption of Malachite Green onto functionalized Electrospun PAN Membrane fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm equation and follows Pseudo Second Order Kinetics.