Preparation of Polyethersulfone/Poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) Electrospun Nanofiber for Cu2+ Adsorption

Abstract

Poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) is a widely studied pH responsive polymer, owing to its tertiary amine groups that change charge depending on the pH. Polyethersulfone (PES), on the other hand, is a polymer considered to possess good mechanical properties and processability. In this study, a PES/PDMAEMA polymer blend nanofiber membrane was fabricated via electrospinning to be used for the adsorption of Cu2+, putting into consideration the effects of Cu2+ initial concentration and solution pH on the adsorption of Cu2+ onto the nanofiber. It was found that increasing the initial concentration and solution pH increases the adsorption capacities of the nanofiber membranes. Finally, as PDMAEMA being a pH-responsive polymer, desorption tests were done by adjustment of solution pH, and this resulted to desorption of Cu2+ into aqueous solution in acidic environment.