Electrospun Zein Nanofibrous Membrane for Chromium(VI) Adsorption

Abstract: Heavy metal pollution is a serious problem that harms the environment and human health. As a means of removing heavy metal ions, especially Cr(VI), from a solution, we prepared a nanofibrous membrane from zein pro-tein which is derived from maize. The zein nanofibrous membrane (ZNM) was prepared by using an 80 % ethanol solu-tion as a solvent. The resulting fiber had a ribbon-like structure. The size of the nanofiber could be controlled by varying the concentration of the zein in the ethanol solution. The ZNM was mounted in a membrane holder and a Cr(VI) feed solution was then continuously passed through the ZNM. The adsorption of Cr(VI) reached equilibrium within 3 min, indicating the rapid adsorption of the Cr(VI). To regenerate the ZNM adsorbent, the adsorbed Cr(VI) was removed by adding 0.1 M NaOH. We believe that ZNM would be an effective means of removing Cr(VI) from indus