TiO2 immobilised on biopolymer nanofibers for the removal of bisphenol A and diclofenac from water
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Date
2017
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Abstract
Recently electrospinning has gained significant attention due to unique possibilities to produce novel
natural nanofibers and fabrics with controllable pore structure. The present study focuses on the fabrication of
electrospun fibres based on gum karaya (GK), a natural tree gum, with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and
functionalization of the membrane with TiO2 nanoparticles with further methane plasma treatment. The
GK/PVA/TiO2 membrane was analyzed with several techniques including: fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray
spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and water contact angle, in order to characterize its morphological and
physicochemical properties. The GK/PVA/TiO2 membrane was further successfully used for the degradation
(under UV irradiation) of bisphenol A and diclofenac from aqueous solution. It was also observed that the
degradation kinetics of these compounds are faster in comparison to the UV treatment alone.
Description
Subject(s)
biopolymer nanofibers, TiO2 nanoparticles, bisphenol A, diclofenac
Citation
ISSN
1898-6196