Perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer/poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) nanofiber membranes: Electrospinning fabrication, water stability, and metal ion removal applications

Perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer/poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PFSA/PVP) fibrous membranes with varying compositions were prepared by electrospinning. The morphology, physicochemical structure and water stability of these membranes were investigated by SEM, XRD, and FTIR. The crosslinking agent 4,4′-diazostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid disodium salt (DAS) was added to the spinning solutions, and its effect on electrospinning behavior and PFSA/PVP membrane morphology was investigated. Thermal annealing of the DAS-containing PFSA/PVP fibrous membranes resulted in improved water stability due to PVP crosslinking. The adsorption properties of the nanofiber membranes were measured by the ability to remove Cu2+ and Ca2+ ions from water. Nanofiber membranes with higher surface area provide more exposed functional groups and thus better ion removal capability. These functional PFSA/PVP nanofiber membranes show applicability in water treatment and may find potential applications in sensors and drug delivery or as components of the catalytic layer of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells.