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Removal of lead from aqueous solution using polyacrylonitrile/magnetite nanofibers

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Abstract

Lead is known for its toxic and non-biodegradable behavior. The consumption of lead-contaminated water is one of the major threat the world is facing nowadays. In this study, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and magnetite (Fe3O4) composite nanofiber adsorbent was developed for Pb2+ removal in batch mode. The synthesis was done by a simple and scalable process of electrospinning followed by chemical precipitation of Fe3O4. The nanofibers thus obtained were characterized through FTIR, zeta potential analyzer, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and were analyzed for their adsorption capability for Pb2+ ions. The amount of metal ion adsorbed was influenced by the initial metal ion concentration, the time the adsorbent was in contact, the amount of nanofiber, and the pH of the solution. The experimental data fitted well with pseudo 2nd-order and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The nanofibers showed high adsorption capability and could be recommended for Pb2+ removal successfully.

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Funding

The work was supported by Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro Pakistan and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCASW), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, 76062, Pakistan

    Hammad Malik, Muhammad Muqeet & Rasool Bux Mahar

  2. Nanomaterials Research Lab, Department of Textile Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, 76062, Pakistan

    Umair Ahmed Qureshi, Farooq Ahmed & Zeeshan Khatri

  3. Government Boys Degree College Qasimabad, Hyderabad, 71000, Pakistan

    Umair Ahmed Qureshi

Authors
  1. Hammad Malik
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  2. Umair Ahmed Qureshi
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  3. Muhammad Muqeet
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  4. Rasool Bux Mahar
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  5. Farooq Ahmed
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  6. Zeeshan Khatri
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Correspondence to Rasool Bux Mahar.

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Responsible editor: Guilherme L. Dotto

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Malik, H., Qureshi, U.A., Muqeet, M. et al. Removal of lead from aqueous solution using polyacrylonitrile/magnetite nanofibers. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 3557–3564 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0706-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0706-7

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