Fabrication of Chitosan‐β‐cyclodextrin‐Fe nanofibers for the adsorption of As‐III from aqueous solution using a lab‐scale filtration system

Arsenate species are hazardous, toxic, and carcinogenic, they pose a significant risk to human health. In this finding, we have fabricated the Chitosan, β‐cyclodextrin and Fe2O3 (CS‐βCD‐Fe2O3) composite nanofibers through electrospinning for arsenic (As‐III) adsorption in a lab‐scale designed continuous filtration system. The SEM images have shown the bead free morphology of the prepared nanofibers and chemical composition was characterized by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The experimental data supported monolayer adsorptions by having a good fit to the Langmuir model. Further, kinetic studies have been conducted to illustrate the adsorption of As‐III onto CS‐βCD‐Fe2O3. The CS‐βCD‐Fe2O3 nanofibers at neutral pH have shown 83% adsorption efficiency of As‐III in the batch experiments and 72% in continuous filtration system with a flow rate of 660 mL/h. Additionally, the reusability of the nanofibers was performed, and 60% adsorption efficiency was achieved up to the 5th cycle for batch adsorption. Our prepared composite CS‐βCD‐Fe2O3 nanofibers could be used in both batch adsorption and continuous filtration system for removal of As‐III from aqueous solution. Scheme. Fabrication of Chitosan‐β‐cyclodextrin‐Fe nanofibers for the adsorption of As (III).