Hydrophilic PVA-co-PE nanofiber membrane functionalized with iminodiacetic acid by solid-phase synthesis for heavy metal ions removal

A novel hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol- co -ethylene) (PVA- co -PE) nanofiber membrane for heavy metal ions removal was fabricated by the solid phase synthesis of iminodiacetic acid (IDA) on nanofiber membrane surfaces. The hydrophilic PVA- co -PE nanofiber membranes were activated with cyanuric chloride . The IDA was then covalently linked to the activated PVA- co -PE nanofiber membranes. The chemical structures of activated and functionalized PVA- co -PE nanofiber membranes were confirmed with FTIR–ATR. The morphology of PVA- co -PE nanofiber membranes were characterized with SEM. The increase in the amount of IDA on functionalized PVA- co -PE nanofiber membranes significantly improved the adsorption amount of Cu 2+ . The IDA functionalized PVA- co -PE nanofiber membranes demonstrated excellent adsorption capability of Cu 2+ , Co 2+ , Zn 2+ and Ni 2+ . The adsorption of above heavy metal ions could be repeatedly regenerated by desorbing the ions adsorbed on nanofiber membranes. The novel IDA functionalized PVA- co -PE nanofiber membranes have great potential in the application of industry and drinking water treatment .