title: Chitosan/CNTs green nanocomposite membrane: synthesis, swelling and polyaromatic hydrocarbons removal.
abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were irradiated in air at 100 kGy under gamma radiations. The Raman spectroscopy of γ-treated CNTs showed distinctive changes in the absorption bands. The CNTs were mixed with blend of chitosan (Cs)/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and crosslinked with silane. The chemical reactions between the components affected the position and intensities of the infrared bands. Scanning electron micrograph of Cs/CNTs nanocomposite membrane showed the homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the polymer matrix. The addition of CNTs lowered its swelling in water. Naphthalene (NAPH) was selected as a model compound and its removal was studied using HPLC technique. This membrane showed fast uptake of NAPH and 87% was removed from water within 30 min. The NAPH loaded membrane showed strong chemical interactions and cannot be desorbed. The fast uptake of PAHs and the green nature of this membrane made them suitable candidates for clean-up purposes.
authors.affiliation: Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan; Department of Chemistry, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Saira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bibi
authors.affiliation: Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan. Electronic address: yasintariq@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasin
authors.affiliation: Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Safia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Division, PINSTECH, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mohsan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nawaz
mesh_terms: D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Adsorption; Carbon nanotubes; Chitosan; Polyaromatic hydrocarbons; Radiation