Integrating amine functionalized chiral graphene oxide nanosheet onto cellulose acetate electrospun nanofiber membrane for enantioselective separation of ibuprofen

The separation of isomers from racemic compounds is crucial in pharmaceutical industries due to their identical properties. Presence of both the isomers in drugs and other compounds can impact both efficacy and safety profiles. This study presents a pioneering chiral electrospun nanofiber membrane designed for the enantioselective separation of racemic ibuprofen. Utilizing cellulose acetate (CA) as the base material, a novel approach involves for coating the membrane with chiral amine functionalized graphene oxide (AFGO). The chiral probe, (R)-(+)-1-(1-Naphthyl)ethylamine, imparts unique properties to the graphene oxide (GO) during functionalization. Comprehensive analyses through spectroscopic techniques confirm the chemical composition and states of the resulting GO and AFGO nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterizes the membrane, revealing an internal fibrous structure, challenging the conventional instability associated with electrospun nanofiber membranes. Enantioselective separation experiments showcase the membrane's superior performance, achieving an enantiomeric excess (ee%) of 96.53 % for S-ibuprofen over R-ibuprofen. This heightened selectivity arises from intricate interactions between chiral molecules and AFGO. The study positions the chiral electrospun nanofiber membrane as a promising tool for enantioselective separation in diverse industries, including drug synthesis, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and biotechnology.