Separating and enriching heavy metal ions via electrospun nanofiber membrane

Electrospinning is a simple and effective technology for fibre materials production with diameters in the scale of nanometer exhibits high specific surface area. Electrospinning nanofiber membranes have good potential for the adsorption of metal ions for its large specific surface area. Physical adsorption or chemical adsorption methods are applied on the nanofibre membranes via electrospinning to separate and enrich heavy metal ions. The fibre membrane with functional groups (carboxyl, amino, sulfinyl group, thiol group, and thioether group) on its surface has good adsorption capacity for metal ions. Increase the nanofibre membrane output and the selectivity of adsorbents for heavy metal ions are the development directions in the separation and enrichment of heavy metal ions.