TiO2/rectorite-trapped cellulose composite nanofibrous mats for multiple heavy metal adsorption

The anthropogenic release of highly toxic heavy metals into the environment presents a huge challenge for ecosystems and human society. Recoverable and efficient adsorption materials could be obtained by trapping inorganic adsorbents (e.g., TiO 2 nanoparticles and rectorite (REC)), in a natural polymer matrix. In this study, a series of cellulose-TiO 2 /REC composite nanofibrous mats were fabricated via electrospinning. The interactions between inorganic adsorbents and cellulose molecules improved the thermal stability , surface area, tensile strength and adsorption capacity of the mats. We focused on the adsorption of Pb 2+ , Cu 2+ and Cd 2+ from acidic solutions onto cellulose-TiO 2 /REC composite nanofibrous mats in multiple systems because the magnitudes of heavy metal concentrations in wastewater typically varied. The maximum total adsorption capacity of 69.81 mg/g was obtained by Cellulose-TiO 2 /REC 2:1 nanofibrous mats. The composite nanofibrous mats successfully trapped TiO 2 nanoparticles, and the obtained cellulose-TiO 2 /REC nanofibrous mats could be used to remove heavy metals from acidic wastewater.