Cyclodextrin loaded composite nanofibers have been widely applied in water treatment. Electrospun polyethersulfone (PES) nanofibers with beta-cyclodextrin-epichlorohydrin (beta CDP) deposited on PES ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were prepared. Steroid hormone micropollutants (MP) were removed from the water over a broad concentration range (0.01-100 mu g/L) by this beta CDP-UF composite nanofiber membrane (CNM). The effects of electrospinning and polymerization on morphology, structure, crosslinking process using epichlorohydrin (EP), and stability of the beta CDP-UF composite were investigated by FE-SEM, FTIR, and TGA analysis. E2 removal as a function of beta CDP concentration, contact time, pH, E2 concentration, hormone type, and flow rate was examined in static adsorption and dynamic filtration. beta CDP was incorporated well into nanofibers, FTIR indicated successful crosslinking between beta CD and EP, which was confirmed with TGA before and after filtration. Maximum E2 removal (80%) was achieved within 5 h in static adsorption. In dynamic filtration E2 removal was dependent on flow rate and nanofiber layer thickness, with up to 99% removal achieved. The composite nanofiber membrane showed enhanced water permeability and a high capacity was estimated for micropollutant uptake. These results show promising application potential for micropollutant removal by the beta CDP-UF composite nanofiber membranes due to the large surface area and the inclusion complexation capability of beta CD.

• Journal: Journal Of Membrane Science
• Volume: 618
• Issue:
• Pages:
• ISSN: 0376-7388
• DOI:
• Year: 2021
• Number:
• Type: Journal Article