Removal of Pollutants Using Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes

GOYANES SILVIA; RIBBA, LAURA; CIMADORO, JONATHAN; D´ACCORSO, NORMA

Industrial Applications of Renewable Biomass Products, Past, Present and Future

Springer

Lugar: Puducherry; Año: 2017; p. 301 - 324

Climate change, population growth and rapid worldwide industrialization,is causing an uncontrollable increase in air and water pollution. Differentfactors, such as increasing water demand, stringent health guidelines, andemerging contaminants, cause traditional water and air treatment technologiesto remain ineffective. In this context, nanotechnology could provide novelcost- and energy-efficient materials. In particular, membranes obtainedthrough the electrospinning technique are a desirable candidate, thanks to itsextraordinary permeability and selectivity due to its high porosity and surfacearea, respectively. Nanofibrous membranes based on polymers from thebiomass have been proposed as next-generation environmentally friendly filtermedia. Among the most used polymers, we can find cellulose acetate, chitosan,and poly(lactic acid). The aim of the present study is to review the possibleapplications of the nanofiber mats for the removal of pollutants from water andair, including viruses, inorganic solutes, heavy metals, metal ions, complexorganic compounds, natural organic matter, nitrate, and other pollutants