Investigation of the mechanical properties and dual-light photocatalytic dye degradation of PAN electrospun nanocomposites reinforced with graphene/ZnO nanoparticles
Iranian Polymer Journal (English Edition), 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s13726-026-01710-3
- Dergi Adı: Iranian Polymer Journal (English Edition)
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Electrospinning, GFN/ZnO nanoparticles, Natural sunlight, Photocatalysis, Polyacrylonitrile, UV irradiation
- Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Textile wastewater contains persistent synthetic dyes that require efficient and sustainable treatment methods. Photocatalysis using zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene (GFN) has shown promise, yet their combined incorporation into electrospun nanofibers has been scarcely explored. This study focuses on producing polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based nanofibers containing ZnO, GFN, and their hybrid forms through electrospinning, followed by evaluation of their photocatalytic performance under both UV and natural sunlight irradiation for degrading methylene blue (MB) and reactive yellow 145 (RY145). PAN nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning solutions with 0.5–1.5 wt% ZnO, 0.5–1.5 wt% GFN, and PAN/GFN–ZnO composites. The structures were characterized using FTIR, SEM, and XRD, while wettability, mechanical properties, and photocatalytic activity were also assessed. Photodegradation experiments were performed for 120 min under UV (254 nm) and natural sunlight. The addition of ZnO and graphene resulted in reduced fiber diameters, improved hydrophobicity, and enhanced tensile strength compared to neat PAN fibers. Under dual-light irradiation, PAN-Z3 achieved the highest MB degradation (91% UV, 85% natural sunlight), whereas the PAN-GZ1 composite exhibited strong activity for RY145 degradation (82% UV, 74% natural sunlight). Notably, the PAN-GZ1 hybrid exhibited a synergistic effect, showing the fastest kinetic rate for RY (k = 0.021 min−1), surpassing the single-component PAN/ZnO and PAN/GFN samples owing to improved charge separation at the GFN/ZnO interface. This study highlights the novelty of integrating ZnO and graphene into a single electrospun PAN matrix, enabling efficient dual-light photocatalysis. The floating, porous nanofiber structure enhances light interaction and dye removal, offering a scalable and eco-friendly approach to textile wastewater treatment.