Covalently functionalized polyacrylonitrile fibers for heterogeneous catalysis and pollutant adsorption: a review

Polyacrylonitrile fiber (PANF) has found its recent applications other than textile, carbon fiber precursor, and building materials. The fabrication of functionalized PANFs could be achieved through transformation of their cyano groups into active functional moieties, which has been used for the immobilization of various ligands for the adsorption of hazardous heavy metal ions in water. More recently, diverse active groups have been grafted to obtain heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, the applications of covalently functionalized PANFs in the past decade are reviewed from the aspects of catalysis and adsorption. In catalytic applications, different types of immobilized catalysts are summarized, including acids, bases, phase transfer catalysts, ionic liquids, metals and their complexes, and bifunctional catalysts. The adsorption applications are classified by the types of pollutants such as metal ions, organic pollutants, inorganic salts, and CO2. [Display omitted] •Synthetic routes and schematic structures of covalently functionalized polyacrylonitrile fibers.•Recyclable usage in various efficiently catalytic organic reactions especially in aqueous media.•Excellent adsorption of metal ions, organic pollutants, inorganic salts, and CO2.