Synthetic electrospun and meltspun nanofibers for water treatment

Overview

This solution involves the preparation of polyolefin, PA-6, and PET nanocomposite fibers using electrospinning and melt spinning techniques for water treatment applications. The nanofibers are designed to adsorb heavy metals and dyestuffs from wastewater samples at lower temperatures with higher absorption capacity than regular fibers. The surface of the produced nanofibers is treated with acrylic polymers via grafting emulsion polymerization to introduce new functional groups that improve dyestuff absorption from polluted water.

The technology addresses the growing global need for efficient, cost-effective wastewater treatment materials. By incorporating nanoparticles into synthetic polymer fibers, the resulting nanocomposite fibers offer enhanced thermal and crystalline properties along with new functional properties such as electrical conductivity and antibacterial activity.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Nanocomposite fibers prepared via in-situ polymerization, melt intercalation, and solution mixing
• Melt intercalation technique offers an economical and straightforward production route
• Homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles significantly influences adsorption capacity
• Surface treatment with acrylic polymers via grafting emulsion polymerization introduces functional groups for dye absorption
• Enhanced adsorption of heavy metals and dyestuffs at lower operating temperatures
• Improved thermal and crystalline properties compared to pure polymer fibers
• Potential antimicrobial properties from nanoparticle integration

Target pollutants:

• Heavy metals in wastewater
• Various dyestuffs from industrial effluent

Technology readiness level

This research is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Future validation plans include preparing polypropylene, PA-6, and PET nanocomposite materials using melt-spinning techniques, producing master batches, and manufacturing nanoparticle hybrid nanocomposite multifilament yarns. Characterization and adsorption performance testing under varying pH, dipping cycles, dipping time, and pollutant concentration conditions are planned to validate the technology's effectiveness across diverse water treatment scenarios.