Morphology Analysis and Characterization of Clinoptilolite/Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Zeolite Composite Nanofibers

In this study, clinoptilolite/PVP (Polyvinyl pyrrolidone)-zeolite composite nanofibers were synthesized using the electrospinning method. The effects of process parameters including solution concentration, spinning voltage, and spinning distance were examined on morphology and fibers diameter. Electrospun nanofibers were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and BET method. SEM images have demonstrated the steady and straight ribbon-shaped fiber from electrospinning solution with 1.8:1.8:6.4 weight ratio of clinoptilolite:PVP:ethanol, respectively. It resulted that the diameter of fabricated nanofibers is about 182 nm at 1.8:1.8:6.4 weight ratios of clinoptilolite:PVP:ethanol at a 20 cm distance and 13 kV voltage as optimal parameters. The average of fibers diameter reduced following the increase in electrospinning distance. By increasing voltage, the average of fiber diameter decreased in 15 cm distance and increased in 20 cm distance. XRD results for both particles and electrospun nanofibers show the clinoptilolite-Ca structure. The BET surface areas are measured to be 20 and 5 m2 g−1 for clinoptilolite particles and clinoptilolite/PVP electrospun nanofibers, respectively. Also, BET analysis showed that mesoporosity of clinoptilolite particles was preserved after putting nanoparticles inside the polymer nanofibers.