Nanocomposites and nanomaterials

Nanocomposite coated polyester for methylene blue filtration 

Mariia Pasichnyk1, Miroslava Václavíková2, Inna Melnyk2

1Chemistry Department of the Mykolaiv V.O. Sukhomlynskyi National University, Nikolska 24, Mykolayiv-54030, Ukraine
E-mail: pasechnik86@gmail.com
2Institute of Geotechnics Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 45, Košice-04001, Slovakia

In present work polymer composition based on aqueous dispersion of thermally linking styrene-acrylic copolymer as polymer matrix, partially esterified melamine resin as a cross-linking agent and ZnO nanoparticles (average size 40-45 nm) as the filler were used for the covering of polyester fabric. Coated fabric shows a drastic change in the fiber surface morphology, with the presence of voids and pores with nanocomposite. The possibility of using such fabrics as ﬁlters was explored for methylene blue (MB) solution in concentration of the dye 100 ppm. 
		
Fig. 1 SEM microphotographs
of polyester	Fig. 2 SEM microphotographs
of covered polyester	
Flowing through the filter medium the concentration of the MB solution decrease from 100 ppm to 65 ppm (V= 25 ml, mcomposite layer = 0.59 g, t= 120 sec, filtr area S=56 sm2.). We suppose that polyester surface becomes roughness, which increases the possibility of the dye molecules penetration on the surface of covered fibers. ZnO nanoparticles due to the electron recombination convert methylene blue molecules into ionized form. As the surface of the fabric become active, ZnO nanoparticles can attach methylene blue molecules. All these factors decrease the concentration of MB and create prerequisites for using such fabrics as a novel filter material in water treatment.
Acknowledgment: The research was carried out within National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic and VEGA 2/0156/19 project.