Development and characterization of aminated polystyrene adsorbent with nanoparticles

Polymeric nanofibers are used as efficient filter media in solving environmental impact issues because of their excellent properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio, light weight, high porosity, and flexibility at nanoscale dimensions. This study focuses on the electrospinning of aminated polystyrene (APS) incorporated with cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) and its characterization. Polystyrene was aminated and electrospun by optimizing various spinning parameters. Interestingly, 20% (w/v) concentration gave smooth, beadless uniform nanofibers. The surface morphology of the nanofibers and nanoparticles was examined using scanning electron microscope. Successful amination of polystyrene was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and by the contact angle measurements. Significant changes in the hydrophobicity of APS nanofibers (69°) and CeO 2 NPs incorporated APS nanofibers (78°) were observed. The X-ray diffraction pattern of CeO 2 NPs showed characteristic peaks very close to the fluorite-structured CeO 2 crystal. The thermal stability of the nanofibers and nanoparticles was studied using thermogravimetric analysis; it was around 330°C–380°C for CeO 2 NPs incorporated in APS nanofibers. The prepared nanostructured material showed better thermal stability, with reduced hydrophobicity, which makes these nanofibers a potential chemical adsorption material for indoor air pollutants.