Polyacrylonitrile/polyaniline core/shell nanofiber mat for removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution: mechanism and applications

Jianqiang Wang, Kai Pan, Emmanuel P. Giannelis, Bing Cao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

121 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polyacrylonitrile/polyaniline core/shell nanofibers were prepared via electrospinning followed by in situ polymerization of aniline. Nanofibers with different morphology were obtained by changing the polymerization temperature. When used as absorbent for Cr(vi) ions, the core/shell nanofiber mats exhibit excellent adsorption capability. The equilibrium capacity is 24.96, 37.24, and 52.00 mg g-1 for 105, 156, and 207 mg L-1 initial Cr(vi) solution, respectively, and the adsorption capacity increases with temperature. The adsorption follows a pseudo second order kinetics model and is best fit using the Langmuir isotherm model. The mats show excellent selectivity towards Cr(vi) ions in the presence of competing ions albeit a small decrease in adsorption is observed. The mats can be regenerated and reused after treatment with NaOH making them promising candidates as practical adsorbents for Cr(vi) removal. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8978
JournalRSC Advances
Volume3
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01
Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): KUS-C1-018-02
Acknowledgements: This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (5114304), the Central University of basic scientific research project of BUCT (ZZ1112) and the award by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) (KUS-C1-018-02).
This publication acknowledges KAUST support, but has no KAUST affiliated authors.

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