Preparation, characterization, and properties of polyacrylonitrile-silica gel anion exchange composite fibers

This article reports the preparation of new anion exchange composite fibers (AECFs). These AECFs were prepared by simple stirring of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and silica gel in different stoichiometric ratios. The physicochemical characterization of the prepared AECFs was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, differential thermal analysis, and differential thermal gravimetry), and elemental analysis (CHNS/O). Ion-exchange behavior was also observed. The results indicate that addition of silica gel affects the structure and properties of the composite fibers. The addition of silica gel also changes the thermal stability of PAN-silica gel AECFs. The ion-exchange capacity of the resulting AECFs was found to be 1.98 mequiv/g. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers