Phosphine-functionalized electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica nanofibers as highly effective adsorbent for removal of aqueous manganese and nickel ions

Md Shahidul Islam, Md Saifur Rahaman, Jeong Hyun Yeum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Phosphine-functionalized PVA/SiO2 (pgf-PVA/SiO2) composite nanofiber adsorbent (porous) was prepared using a facile electrospinning technique. The successful fabrication of the pgf-PVA/SiO2 nanofibers was confirmed by field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. The nanofiber adsorbent was evaluated for water sensitivity, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, pore size distribution, and manganese (Mn+2) and nickel (Ni+2) ions removal from aqueous solution at various pH, contact times, and adsorbent dosages as well as at different regeneration/reuse cycles. The composite pgf-PVA/SiO2 nanofibers (with 0.5g/L fiber loading) can remove almost completely (96-98%) the aforementioned ions from aqueous solutions (initial concentration of 120mg/L, pH 6) within 15min of contact time. A reasonably simple acid treatment (with a 1M HCl solution) was found to be extremely effective in regenerating the nanofiber adsorbent, and 92.5% of the metal ions were removed from the adsorbent even in the fifth regeneration/reuse cycle. Additionally, the adsorption equilibrium studies revealed the excellent adsorption capacities of the pgf-PVA/SiO2 nanofiber for both Mn+2 and Ni+2 ions (234.7 and 229.9mg/g, respectively).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9-18
Number of pages10
JournalColloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Volume484
DOIs
StatePublished - 5 Nov 2015

Keywords

  • Adsorbent
  • Mn and Ni ions removal
  • Phosphine group
  • Poly(vinyl alcohol)
  • Silica

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