Removal of aniline from air and water by polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) electrospun ultrafine fibers

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the possibility of electrospun fibers from Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM-1) as an alternative adsorbent for aniline removal from both air and aqueous solution. Adsorption properties of electrospun PIM-1 fibers were compared with powder and film form of PIM-1. While electrospun PIM-1 nanofibrous mat can adsorb 871 mg g (1) aniline from air, it can also adsorb 78 +/- 5.4 mg g (1) aniline from aqueous environment when 50 mg L (1) aniline solution is used. The experimental maximum adsorption capacity of electrospun PIM-1 fibers was found as (q(e)) 138 mg g(-1). Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models have been studied and Langmuir model found more appropriate for aniline adsorption on electrospun PIM-1 fibers. The study reveals that self-standing electrospun fibrous mat of PIM-1 has shown potential to be used as an efficient adsorbent material for the adsorption of VOCs from air and aqueous system thanks to its fast kinetic and high adsorption capacity. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.