Synthesis of nanocomposite membranes based on polybutylene terephthalate /carbon nanotube for absorption of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide

In the present study, a membrane of polybutylene terephthalate doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes was prepared by the electrospinning process of nanofibers. Electron microscopy images of the synthesized nanocomposite proved the homogeneous structure and porous surface of the film. The capability and efficiency of the prepared fibers were tested by studying the adsorption of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide as a mustard gas-like compound. Parameters affecting the morphology of nanofibers such as polymer concentration and the amount of multi-walled carbon nanotubes were investigated and optimized. Important variables in the mustard gas adsorption process included: ion strength, adsorption time and temperature. For this purpose, multivariate modeling based on experimental design using central composite design and response -surface methodology was used to optimize the factors affecting the process. The removal efficiency was 96% at the time of absorption of 12 minutes and the adsorption temperature was 30 ° C and the initial concentration of mustard-like agent was 20 mg L-1. The results of adsorption isotherms showed that the adsorption process of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide by developed nanofibers follows the model of Langmuir (R2 = 0.991) and Friendlich (R2 = 0.986). The results of this study showed that PBT / MWCNTs nanocomposite membrane have good efficiency in adsorption and entrapment of mustard-like agent 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide and can be used to develop coatings against these compounds.