Development of novel biopolymer membranes by electrospinning as potential adsorbents for toxic metal ions removal from aqueous solution

Author(s)

Mazur, Luciana Prazeres ; Ferreira, Rafaela Reis ; Barbosa, Rennan Felix da Silva ; Santos, Pedro Henrique ; da Costa, Talles Barcelos ; Vieira, Melissa Gurgel Adeodato ; da Silva, Adriano ; Rosa, Derval dos Santos ; Mei, Lucia Helena Innocentini

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS; v. 395, p. 19-pg., 2023-12-21.

Abstract

This work aims to develop novel biomembranes based on PLA, PBS, or their blend and composites, with the Cloisite (R) 20A nanoclay, as adsorptive materials for metal ions removal. To obtain a membrane with good morphology and thinner diameter of the fibers, a series of nonwoven mats were prepared by electrospinning. To improve the adsorption performance of the electrospun membranes, thermal and acid modifications were carried out in the nanoclay before the electrospinning process, and the final electrospun membranes were applied in the removal of Cr(VI), Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Mn(II) ions present in a multi-metal solution. The PBS/PLA/C20A (80/10/10) membrane obtained with an injection flow rate of 3 mL/h, needle tip-to-collector distance of 15 cm, and voltage of 20 kV were selected for the synthesis of the adsorptive membranes, which has the best morphology due to the small average diameter of the fiber and bead-free structures. The characterization techniques (TGA, BET, helium pycnometry, RMN, and DMA) results proved that the addition of PLA and nanoclay resulted in the formation of a material more resistant and with high porosity and specific surface area than the neat PBS. It can be seen that the membranes prepared with the nanoclay after thermal modification showed high metal removal efficiency than the mats designed with the raw nanoclay and after acid modification. It was also possible to conclude that PBS and PLA present the capacity to gradually release organic carbon compounds, which can be used directly as electron donors for Cr(VI) reduction. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/13703-3 - Environmentally friendly porous materials for the recovery and revaluation of metals reclaimed from contaminated water
• Grantee: Derval dos Santos Rosa
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/14714-1 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2020/13703-3: Cromatógrafo de Íons Modular 940 Professional IC Vario
• Grantee: Derval dos Santos Rosa
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 21/08296-2 - Development of chitosan hydrogels containing modified cellulose nanostructures for metal removal and recovery from contaminated water
• Grantee: Rennan Felix da Silva Barbosa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 22/11133-0 - Development of biodegradable porous starch hydrogels containing modified nanocellulose or nanoclays for the removal and recovery of metals in contaminated water
• Grantee: Talles Barcelos da Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/06829-6 - Environmentally friendly porous materials for the recovery and revaluation of metals reclaimed from contaminated water
• Grantee: Luciana Prazeres Mazur
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/01382-3 - Cellulose hydrogels containing modified clays for the removal and recovery of metal ions present in contaminated water
• Grantee: Rafaela Reis Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate