Anion-Exchange Electrospun Mixed-Matrix Polymer Fibers of Colesevelam for Water Treatment

• Published in: ACS applied materials & interfaces 2023-12
• Main Authors: El-Mehalmey, Worood A, Ibrahim, Ahmed H, Youssef, Ahmed Fahmy A, Abuzalat, Osama, Mousa, Moustafa S, Mayhoub, Abdelrahman S, Alkordi, Mohamed H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1944-8244; 1944-8252
• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13473

Novel anion-exchange electrospun fiber membranes of polycaprolactone doped with the cationic, cross-linked colesevelam polymer are reported. The weight fraction of cross-linked cationic colesevelam polymer, as the active phase within the PCL matrix, can readily be controlled in the synthesis of the mixed-matrix fibers (Cole@PCL), enabling optimization of the ion-exchange properties of the resulted membranes. This approach enabled adaptation of anion-exchange resins to a permeable, flexible membrane form, which is a significant advancement toward futuristic water treatment applications, demonstrated herein for the removal of trace contaminants, including nitrates and phosphates, as well as anionic dyes. The Cole@PCL membranes demonstrated the dependence of contaminant uptake on the weight percentage of colesevelam in the mixed-matrix membrane. An optimal 10 wt % of colesevelam was identified, demonstrating a staggering ion removal capacity of 155.8 mg/g for nitrate, 177.6 mg/g for phosphate, and 70 mg/g for Methyl Orange.