Journal of Textile Research ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (12): 57-65.doi: 10.13475/j.fzxb.20250401701

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Preparation and Cr(Ⅵ) adsorption of amino-functionalized polyacrylonitrile nanofiber membrane

GAO Jun1, LING Lei1, CHEN Yuan1, WU Dingsheng1, LIN Hanlei1, LI Zhenyu2, FENG Quan1()   

  1. 1. Advanced Fiber Materials Engineering Research Center of Anhui Province, Anhui Polytechnic University,Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China
    2. Saudi Water Authority, Riyadh 12213, Saudi Arabia
  • Received:2025-04-09 Revised:2025-09-10 Online:2025-12-15 Published:2026-02-06
  • Contact: FENG Quan E-mail:fengquan@ahpu.edu.cn

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Abstract:

Objective To address the environmental and health hazards posed by hexavalent chromium (Cr(Ⅵ)) in industrial effluents, the development of an effective adsorbent capable of removing or detoxifying Cr(Ⅵ) ions is of critical importance. Current adsorbent materials exhibit limitations in removal efficiency and regeneration durability. This study focuses on synthesizing a polyvinylimine/polyacrylonitrile (PEI/PAN) composite nanofiber membrane via electrospinning technology to achieve high-performance adsorption and detoxification of Cr(Ⅵ) contaminated wastewater.

Method In this study, PEI/PAN composite nanofiber membrane was prepared by electrospinning, using polyacrylonitrile and polyvinyleneimine, for the removal of Cr(Ⅵ) in wastewater. The physical and chemical properties of nanofiber membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffrac-tion (XRD), Fourier transform IR (FT-IR) and water contact angle (WCA). In addition, the effects of acid-base value, temperature, initial concentration and time on Cr(Ⅵ) performance were analyzed by batch experiments. Finally, the adsorption behavior of nanofiber membranes was further studied according to adsorption isotherms, adsorption thermodynamics and adsorption dynamics.

Results The PEI/PAN composite nanofiber membrane exhibited a uniform fiber diameter and a smooth surface morphology, with an average diameter of 0.32 μm. The absorption peak at 2 243 cm-1 indicated the nitrile (C══N) stretching vibration, confirming the incorporation of PAN. The peaks at 3 450 cm-1 and 2 935 cm-1 correspond to N—H bending and C—H stretching vibrations, respectively, while the peak at 1 734 cm-1 is attributed to the carbonyl (O══COCH3) stretching vibration, indicating the presence of PEI within the composite. A characteristic broad diffraction peak was observed at 2θ=17°, corresponding to the (110) crystallographic plane of PAN, along with a newly emerged and relatively broadened diffraction peak within the 20°-25° angular range. Mechanical test results indicated fracture elongation of 22.4% and fracture strength of 11.3 MPa, demonstrating superior mechanical performance. The composite nanofiber membrane exhibited a static water contact angle of 20.03°, indicating pronounced hydrophilicity. Following an evaluation of various parameters on the adsorption efficacy of the PEI/PAN composite nanofiber membrane, the findings reveal that the optimal removal efficiency occurred with a 500 mg/L Cr(Ⅵ) solution, achieving an adsorption capacity of 191.73 mg/g at 318 K and pH 3. Analysis of the adsorption isotherm, thermodynamics, and kinetics of the PEI/PAN composite nanofiber membrane reveals that the adsorption behavior aligns closely with the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating predominantly monolayer chemisorption. Thermodynamic data suggest the process is spontaneous and endothermic, with elevated temperatures favoring adsorption efficiency. Kinetic fitting corresponds to pseudo-second-order dynamics, highlighting the significant role of chemical interactions. Additionally, the membrane maintains 67.56% of its adsorption capacity after five reuse cycles, demonstrating good reusability and stability.

Conclusion PEI/PAN composite nanofiber membrane with uniform diameter and smooth surface were prepared by electrospinning. The influence of acid and base value, initial solution concentration, temperature and time on the adsorption performance was analyzed. At 318 K and pH 3, the PEI/PAN composite nanofiber membrane showed the best adsorption effect on Cr(Ⅵ), corresponding to a concentration of 191.73 mg/g. Through adsorption isotherm, adsorption thermodynamics and adsorption dynamics way to explore the PEI/PAN composite nanofiber membrane of Cr(Ⅵ) adsorption mechanism, found that the material and Langmuir model and secondary adsorption dynamics model fit is good, the whole adsorption process of chemical adsorption, and is spontaneous exothermic reaction, mainly have electrostatic attraction and redox action.

Key words: chromium, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylimine, nanofiber membrane, adsorption performance, electrospinning, wastewater treatment

CLC Number: 

  • TQ340.64

Fig.1

SEM images of PAN and PEI/PAN"

Fig.2

Diameter distribution map of PAN and PEI/PAN"

Fig.3

Infrared spectra of PAN and PEI/PAN"

Fig.4

XRD patterns of PAN and PEI/PAN"

Tab.1

Mechanical properties of PAN and PEI/PAN"

样品名称 断裂强度/MPa 断裂伸长率/% 弹性模量/MPa
PAN 5.8 35.7 16.2
PEI/PAN 11.3 22.4 50.4

Fig.5

Static contact angle of PAN and PEI/PAN"

Fig.6

Influence of pH value on adsorption"

Fig.7

Influence of initial concentration on adsorption"

Tab.2

Influence of temperatures on adsorption of PAN and PEI/PAN"

样品名称 不同温度下的吸附容量Qe/(mg·g-1)
298 K 308 K 318 K
PAN 24.793 30.362 33.728
PEI/PAN 83.145 105.944 112.585

Fig.8

Adsorption isotherm model. (a) Langmuir adsorption isotherm; (b) Freundlich adsorption isotherm"

Tab.3

Adsorption isotherm parameters"

温度/
K		 Langmuir模型 Freundlich模型
Qm/
(mg·g-1)		 k1/
(L·mg-1)		 R2 k2/
(mg(1-n)·
Ln·g-1)		 n R2
298 154.807 0.052 0.999 47.963 0.208 0.857
308 207.580 0.045 0.997 61.884 0.191 0.977
318 190.139 0.129 0.999 101.607 0.111 0.972

Fig.9

Adsorption thermodynamic model. (a) Influence of temperature on Langmuir reaction rate constant;(b) Van't Hoff diagram"

Tab.4

Adsorption thermodynamic parameters"

温度/
K		 ln(Kd/
(L·mg-1))		 ΔG/
(kJ·mol-1)		 ΔH/
(kJ·mol-1)		 ΔS/
(J·(mol·K)-1)
298 0.434 3 -1.076 1
308 0.597 2 -1.529 1 21.534 4 75.550 3
318 0.983 6 -2.600 4

Fig.10

Adsorption kinetics model. (a) Nonlinear fitting of pseudo first and pseudo second order dynamics;(b) Pseudo-first-order adsorption kinetic model; (c) Pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetic model"

Tab.5

Adsorption kinetic parameters"

准一级动力学模型 准二级动力学模型
Qe/
(mg·g-1)		 k3/
min-1		 R2 Qe/
(mg·g-1)		 k4/
(g·(mg·min)-1)		 R2
83.35 0.006 81 0.974 86.32 0.010 99 0.999

Fig.11

XPS spectra of PEI/PAN before and after adsorption. (a) Total XPS spectra; (b) Fine spectra of Cr2p"

Fig.12

Reusable performance of PEI/PAN"

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