Removal of aniline from air and water by polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) electrospun ultrafine fibers

This research aims to investigate the possibility of electrospun fibers from Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM-1) as an alternative adsorbent for aniline removal from both air and aqueous solution. Adsorption properties of electrospun PIM-1 fibers were compared with powder and film form of PIM-1. While electrospun PIM-1 nanofibrous mat can adsorb 871 mg g−1 aniline from air, it can also adsorb 78 ± 5.4 mg g−1 aniline from aqueous environment when 50 mg L−1 aniline solution is used. The experimental maximum adsorption capacity of electrospun PIM-1 fibers was found as (qe) 138 mg g−1. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models have been studied and Langmuir model found more appropriate for aniline adsorption on electrospun PIM-1 fibers. The study reveals that self-standing electrospun fibrous mat of PIM-1 has shown potential to be used as an efficient adsorbent material for the adsorption of VOCs from air and aqueous system thanks to its fast kinetic and high adsorption capacity.