Electrospun Nanocarbon Fibers for the Chromium Removal in Water

Uniform electrospun polyacrylonitrile / iron (III) nitrate nanofibers with small diameters were successfully prepared by systematically optimizing the electrospinning parameters including polymer concentration, salt loading, applied voltage, tip ­to­ collector distance, and flow rate. These parameters are shown to affect the fiber morphology and the addition of iron (III) nitrate salt was found to be able to reduce the fiber size and required electrospinning voltage. The improved thermal properties of the composite fibers were investigated and shown by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The composite nanofibers were further carbonized to carbon nanofibers. Applications of the nanofibers for chromium removal have shown promise.