Copper Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Functionalized Polyacrylonitrile Fibers and Antibacterial Activity

Polyacrylonitrile Fibers (PANF) represent a prominent choice in the realm of wastewater treatment for a wide range of industrial processes. These fibers are commercially available and cost-effective, boasting both robust mechanical properties and an extensive specific surface area. This is accomplished by employing fibrous materials that exhibit an ample surface area and incorporate functional groups capable of creating metal chelates. These functionalized PANF materials are prepared through a reaction with Hydroxylamine Hydrochloride, thereby rendering them effective adsorbents for various organic dyes (anionic, cationic, and reactive dyes) and diverse heavy metals. The antibacterial properties of the modified fiber were assessed against Escherichia coli bacteria using the zone of inhibition method in an agar medium. Notably, the reference material without metal exhibited no effect on E. coli, S. aureus. In contrast, the chelate-forming fibres with Cu2+ displayed potent bactericidal effects, even at low concentrations of silver ions. These modified materials have the potential to serve as highly effective bactericidal composites and hold promise for future applications in the development of antimicrobial textiles, papers, or polymer materials.