Electrospun composite nanofiber mats of Cellulose@Organically modified montmorillonite for heavy metal ion removal: Design, characterization, evaluation of absorption performance

Considerable interest has been devoted to developing nanoscale biomass materials as adsorbents for wastewater treatment. A facile route was proposed to prepare cellulose-based composite nanofibers via electrospinning of cellulose acetate with organically modified montmorillonite , followed by deacetylation. The composite nanofibers are suitable for metal adsorption given their reasonably high selectivity in removing Cr 6+ ions from aqueous solution. The effects of experimental parameters, including solution pH, temperature, and contact time, on the removal of Cr 6+ ions were determined in a batch system to optimize the adsorption conditions. Results from this study may provide a promising biosorbent that can be used as an emerging material in large-scale adsorption of heavy metal ions.