Bioinspired elelctrospun hybrid nanofibers based on biomass templated within polymeric matrix for metal removal from wastewater

Bioinspired hybrid nanofibers on the basis of polystyrene and Spirulina biomass-pristine and modified-were produced. These nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The hybrid nanofibers have been utilized as adsorbents for the removal of copper and manganese ions from synthetic solution in batch mode at pH = 7, during a 2-h experiment. The maximum adsorption capacity was achieved for nanofibers with maximum Spirulina biomass loading: q = 8.7 mg/g for copper and 7.3 mg/g for manganese (with pristine biomass); q = 8.2 mg/g for copper and 7.0 mg/g for manganese (with modified biomass). The obtained results showed that the hybrid nanofiber could be successfully applied for metal removal from industrial effluents.