Core-sheath fibrous membranes based on poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), poly(acrylonitrile) and zinc oxide nanoparticles meant for photo-reduction of Cr (VI) ions in aqueous solutions

A. CASTRO; H. RODRÍGUEZ-TOBÍAS; G.A. ABRAHAM; G. RIVERO; G. MORALES

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE

JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Lugar: New York; Año: 2020 vol. 137 p. 48429 - 48439

0021-8995

This investigation addresses the design of a series of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)/poly(acrylonitrile)-zinc oxide(ABS/PAN-ZnO) membranes by coaxial electrospinning. In the first instance, an optimization of ABS and PAN electrospinning was performed, thus establishing suitable compositional and processing parameters for obtaining homogenous fibers. Then, coaxial electrospinning of ABS and PAN solutions containing different amount of ZnO nanoparticles was carried out. The coaxial morphology of the nanofibers and ZnO distribution/dispersion were studied by the combination of several techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive analysis, contact angle and thermogravimetric analysis. The performance of the obtained membranes for chromium (VI) ions removal from aqueous solutions was assessed by photo-reduction using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Electrospun mats composed of ABS (core)/PAN (sheath) embedded with 30 wt-% of ZnO nanoparticles exhibited the highest chromium photo-reduction (ca. 80%), suggesting the potential use of these membranes as filters for water purification.