Fabrication of a Novel Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile/Giant Ball {Mo132} Composite Nanofibrous Mats in Adsorption of 2-CEES

Abstract

Background: Polyacrylonitrile/Mo132 composite nanofibers mats was synthesized by an electrospinning technique using PAN and giant ball nano-polyoxomolybdateMo132. The nanocluster Mo132 was mixed with PAN solution and then electrospun to produce bead-free nanofibers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the adsorption ability of electrospun composite nanofibers against sulfur mustard stimulants and assess the possibility of using the electrospun nanofibers as protective membranes in chemical masks and warfare clothing. Adsorption of sulfur mustard stimulants was investigated on the surface of PAN nanofibers embedded with keplerate nano-polyoxomolybdate. Methods: In order to study the 2-CEES adsorption ability, the prepared PAN/Mo132 nanofibers composite was further prepared and exposed to 2-CEES solution. The surface morphology and other properties of the PAN/Mo132 nanofibers composite were characterized by various techniques, including SEM, TEM, FT-IR, UV-Vis. SEM images which showed that the average diameter of the fibers was found to be between 100-120 nm. Results: The adsorption efficiency of PAN/Mo132 composite in adsorption of 2-CEES was obtained 89% after 7h at room temperature. The results showed that composite nanofibers PAN/Mo132 will have a good ability as protective clothing and chemical masks against chemical warfare agents. Conclusion: PAN/Mo132 nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning method. The leaching of Mo132 from the nanofibers was not observed, meaning that the catalyst had excellent stability and could be used as a heterogeneous structure against the adsorption of sulfur mustard stimulant at room temperature. This composite nanofibers membrane exhibited good performance to adsorb 2-CEES in comparison with pure PAN. The adsorption rate of 2-CEES increases with increasing the amount of Mo132 embedded in the PAN nanofibers.