Synthesis of porous aminated PAN/PVDF composite nanofibers by electrospinning: Characterization and Direct Red 23 removal

Abstract In this study, porous aminated Polyacrylonitrile/Polyvinylidene fluoride (PAN/PVDF) composite nanofiber was synthesized by employing the electrospinning technique and used as an adsorbent for removing dye (Direct Red 23: DR23) from aqueous solution. Dye removal ability of nanofibers was enhanced through the extraction of NaHCO3 and modification with Diethylenetriamine. The synthesized nanofibers were characterized using FTIR and SEM. The results indicated that the adsorption data were fitted by Langmuir isotherm, as well as intraparticle diffusion kinetics. Moreover, the influence of operational parameters, including adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of dye, pH of the solution, and adsorption time on decolorization efficiency was assessed. In accordance with the obtained data, more than 95 percent of dye removal was achieved. Also, a reduction in pH from 6 to 2 could effectively increase decolorization (ca. 60 percent). However, the increase in dye concentration decreased dye removal percent (ca. 40 percent).