Electrospun cellulose acetate/P(DMDAAC‐AM) nanofibrous membranes for dye adsorption

ABSTRACT In recent years, organic nanofibrous membranes have received more attention because of their excellent performance in wastewater treatment. In this study, the soluble poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride‐acrylamide) (P(DMDAAC‐AM)) was first synthesized by aqueous copolymerization. Afterward, cellulose acetate (CA)/P(DMDAAC‐AM) composite nanofibrous membranes were electrospun and utilized to remove acid black 172 from simulated wastewater. When the proportion of P(DMDAAC‐AM) to CA was 20, 30, and 40 wt %, the equilibrium adsorption capacities were 116, 159, and 192 mg g −1 , respectively. The adsorption capacity of CA/P(DMDAAC‐AM) composite nanofibrous membrane showed a well linear relationship with the average fiber diameter. When the average fiber diameter was 185 nm, the adsorption capacity of 231 mg g −1 was achieved. The adsorption kinetics of CA/P(DMDAAC‐AM) membranes with various fiber diameters was all consistent with the pseudo‐second‐order model. The rate‐limiting step was primarily controlled by chemisorption. The adsorption isothermal data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model. The prepared CA/P(DMDAAC‐AM) nanofibrous membrane was effective to remove the acid black 172 in the environmental interested pH range of 4.0–10.0. As an effective dye adsorbent, CA/P(DMDAAC‐AM) nanofibrous membrane shows wide application prospect with its excellent adsorption performance. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137 , 48565.