Dual-functional electrospun PANCNT/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite membranes: Synergistic organic-ionic contaminant removal and real-world greywater treatment validation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study develops dual-functional electrospun PAN nanofiber composites incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) for advanced greywater treatment. The optimized PAN-2%CNT system achieved 92.9% COD and 95.2% TOC removal via π-π stacking interactions, utilizing 260 m²/g surface area, while PAN-2%Fe₂O₃ demonstrated 95% NH₄⁺ and >98% Pb²⁺ removal through Lewis acid-base coordination. These composites outperformed granular activated carbon (GAC) by 30% despite GAC’s higher surface area (675 m²/g), validating nanoconfinement effects over traditional surface area paradigms. The membranes exhibited exceptional mechanical-hydraulic performance with 126.2 MPa tensile strength (87.5% enhancement over pure PAN) and stable operation at 800 LMH with minimal fouling (ΔP <5 kPa versus 22 kPa for GAC). Accelerated kinetics achieved k₂=0.018 g/mg·min and 90% contaminant removal within 30 minutes. Real-world validation using 25 greywater samples from Yazd, Iran (COD: 120–450 mg/L) confirmed robust performance across variable compositions. Lifecycle analysis revealed 18% cost savings over 5 years compared to GAC despite higher initial investment (18/m2versus18/m² versus 18/m2versus5/m²), attributed to reduced fouling maintenance and eliminated regeneration requirements. This work bridges material innovation and practical application through: (1) synergistic CNT-Fe₂O₃ dual-functionality, (2) comprehensive real wastewater validation, and (3) challenging conventional surface area-performance relationships, establishing new design principles for next-generation multifunctional water treatment membranes.
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,400
OpenAlex ID: W7127597124