DIBENZO-18-CROWN-6/POLYCAPROLACTONE COMPOSITE NANOFIBERS FOR SELECTIVE ADSORPTION OF CATIONS

Abstract

Electrospun nanofibers are attractive alternatives to traditional adsorbents due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, porosity, and loading capacity. Functionalization of nanofibers with macrocycles can contribute to further enhancement in selective adsorption of ions. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers were functionalized with a crown ether, namely dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6), and the potential of the resultant electrospun PCL/DB18C6 nanofibers for selective ion adsorption, particularly the selective recovery for K+, was investigated. The morphology, chemical structure and thermal properties of PCL/DB18C6 nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The average diameter of PCL/DB18C6 nanofibers was 529±196 nm. Single-ion adsorption experiments indicated that the adsorption capacity for K+ ion was 137 mg·g−1 and the selectivity sequence was found as K+>Ca2+>Na+. The adsorption selectivity coefficients of K+/Ca2+ and K+/Na+ were calculated respectively as 1.37 and 4.28 for single ion experiments and as 1.13 and 5.11 for mixed ion adsorptions which illustrate that the difference between the adsorption capacities of K+ and Ca2+ decreased in mixed ion adsorption experiments. Overall results demonstrate that the electrospun PCL/DB18C6 nanofibers are amenable for use as polymer adsorbents for the selective ion recovery.

Keywords

• Electrospinning
• Nanofibers
• Dibenzo-18-crown-6
• Polycaprolactone
• Adsorbent

Seçici Katyon Adsorpsiyonu için Dibenzo-18-Taç-6/Polikaprolakton Kompozit Nanolifleri

Abstract

Elektroeğirme yöntemi ile elde edilen nanolif yüzeyler yüksek yüzey alanı, gözeneklilik ve yükleme kapasitesi gibi özellikleri sayesinde geleneksel adsorban malzemelere karşı alternatif olarak dikkat çekmektedirler. Özellikle halkalı makromoleküller ile işlevselleştirilmiş nanolifler, iyonların seçici adsorpsiyonunun daha da geliştirilmesine katkıda bulunabilir. Bu çalışmada, polikaprolakton (PCL) ve dibenzo-18-taç-6 taç eteri (DB18C6) kullanılarak elektroeğirme yöntemi ile PCL/DB18C6 kompozit nanolifleri elde edilmiş ve potasyum başta olmak üzere seçici iyon adsorpsiyonu için potansiyelleri incelenmiştir. PCL/DB18C6 nanoliflerinin morfolojileri, kimyasal yapıları ve ısıl özellikleri taramalı elektron mikroskobu (SEM), Fourier dönüşümlü kızılötesi spektroskopisi (FTIR), X-ışını fotoelektron spektroskopisi (XPS), termogravimetrik analiz (TGA) ve diferansiyel taramalı kalorimetre (DSC) yöntemleriyle analiz edilmiştir. PCL/DB18C6 nanoliflerinin ortalama çapı 529±196 nm olarak hesaplanmıştır. Tek iyon adsorpsiyon deneylerinde K+ için adsorpsiyon kapasitesinin 137 mg·g−1, seçicilik sıralamasının ise K+>Ca2+>Na+ olduğu bulunmuştur. K+/Ca2+ ve K+/Na+ adsorpsiyon seçicilik katsayıları tek iyon adsorpsiyon deneylerinde sırasıyla 1.37 ve 4.28, çoklu iyon adsorpsiyonlarındaysa sırasıyla 1.13 ve 5.11 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Bu durum K+ ve Ca2+ iyonlarının adsorpsiyon kapasiteleri arasındaki farkın çoklu iyon sistemlerinde azaldığını işaret etmektedir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, elektroeğirme yöntemiyle üretilen PCL/DB18C6 nanoliflerinin seçici iyon kazanımı için adsorban malzeme olarak kullanımının uygun olduğunu göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Elektroeğirme
• Nanolif
• Dibenzo-18-taç-6
• Polikaprolakton
• Adsorban

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