Abstract:
Polyamide 6 nanofibrous membrane of low molecular weight were obtained with various concentration between 25 and 45% (wt/v) by electrospinning of the polymer solution. Polyamide 6 nanofibers containing calcium oxide nanoparticles (PA6/CaO) were successfully obtained with various CaO concentration (0.2-1.0 % wt/wt). The structure of the electrospun nanofiber was studied with the aid of scanning electron microscopy that indicated that smooth and continuous electrospun nanofibers were obtained at optimum conditions with nanofibrous diameter about 60-70 nm and CaO nanoparticles were distributed through the nanofibers with a slightly increase in the nanofibrous diameter. The surfaces of the obtained PA6 and PA6/CaO nanofibers were modified by grafting polymerization with methacrylic acid MAA. The grafting polymerization was investigated through SEM and ATR-FTIR. The grafting polymerization was investigated also by examination of the sorption capacity of the produced modified PA6-g-MAA and PA6/CaO-g-MAA nanofibrous membranes in removal of basic dye by studying removal of Basic Red BR18 dyestuff. The data showed that the percentage of dye removal using polyamide6 / CaO nanofibrous membrane grafted with MAA is more than that of grafted pure polyamide 6 nanofibrous membrane. The optimum conditions for removal of BR18 dye was observed at pH 10 under 60 oC.