Abstract

The crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with glutaraldehyde nanofibers was modified by the esterification of hydroxyl group on PVA with the carboxyl group of 3-mercaptopropionic acid under hydrochloric acid in aqueous environment. The thiol-modified nanofiber mat can absorb the silver ions dissolved in water. Surface morphology of prepared nanofiber mats were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The cross linking between PVA and glutaraldehyde and the thiol groups on the nanofibers after esterification reaction were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The quantitative estimation of silver particle adsorbed onto the resultant nanofiber mat was performed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The maximum adsorption volume was found to be 26.2mgg-1.

Keywords: Adsorption; Silver; Thiolate; Crosslinked nanofiber; Silver adsorption