Green synthesis of porous N-Carbon/Silica nanofibers by solution blow spinning and evaluation of their efficiency in dye adsorption

Authors: COSTA FARIAS, ROSIANE MARIA - Federal University Of Campina Grande; MOTA, MARIAUGUSTA FER - Federal University Of Campina Grande; SEVERO, LUCAS LEITE - Federal University Of Campina Grande; MEDEIROS, ELITON SOUTO - Federal University Of Campina Grande; Klamczynski, Artur; Avena-Bustillos, Roberto; LIMA SANTANA, LISIANE NAVARRO - Federal University Of Campina Grande; ARAUJO NEVES, GELMIRES - Federal University Of Campina Grande; Glenn, Gregory - Greg; RODRIGUES MENEZES, ROMUALDO - Federal University Of Campina Grande

Submitted to: Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/9/2020
Publication Date: 2/2/2020
Citation: Costa Farias, R., Mota, M.R., Severo, L., Medeiros, E., Klamczynski, A.P., Avena Bustillos, R.D., Lima Santana, L., Araujo Neves, G., Glenn, G.M., Rodrigues Menezes, R. 2020. Green synthesis of porous N-Carbon/Silica nanofibers by solution blow spinning and evaluation of their efficiency in dye adsorption. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. 9(3):3038-3046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.01.034.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.01.034

Interpretive Summary: Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is the most commonly used polymer for making carbon nanofibers. However, the solvents used in making PAN nanofibers are toxic and a better system is needed for making carbon nanofibers. ARS scientists in collaboration with Brazilian scientists were successful in making carbon nanofibers from polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) using a much safer solvent (ethanol). The scientists demonstrated a method for making carbon/silica nanofibers that had excellent adsorptive properties. The results of this research could pave the way for a safer method of making a host of carbon composite nanofibers.

Technical Abstract: Porous N-carbon/silica nanofibers (PN-CSN) were successfully made by solution blow spinning (SBS), polymer solutions containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and ethanol. The fibers samples were carbonized at 550°C in a static air atmosphere. PN-CSN fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and zeta potential. The adsorption capacity was determined using a dye (methylene blue, MB). The PN-CSN fibers had a small average diameter (233±178nm), high specific surface area (364 m2g-1) and pore volume (0.18cm3g-1). The pore size distribution ranged from 10 to 170nm. Chemical analyses of the fibers revealed a residual amount of N (6.2%) and C (20,85%) as is characteristic in ceramic nanofibers made with polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The PN-CSN fibers had an adsorption capacity of approximately 400mg g-1. The best fit for the adsorption data was found using a Langmuir model. The adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second order model. Thermodynamic analyses revealed the adsorption mechanism was endothermic and spontaneous for PN-CSN adsorbents.