Novel electroblowing synthesis of tin dioxide and composite tin dioxide/silicon dioxide submicron fibers for cobalt(ii) uptake

Nanoscale SnO(2) has many important properties ranging from sorption of metal ions to gas sensing. Using a novel electroblowing method followed by calcination, we synthesized SnO(2) and composite SnO(2)/SiO(2) submicron fibers with a Sn : Si molar ratio of 3 : 1. Different calcination temperatures and heating rates produced fibers with varying structures and morphologies. In all the fibers SnO(2) was detected by XRD indicating the SnO(2)/SiO(2) fibers to be composite instead of complete mixtures. We studied the Co(2+) separation ability of the fibers, since (60)Co is a problematic contaminant in nuclear power plant wastewaters. Both SnO(2) and SnO(2)/SiO(2) fibers had an excellent Co(2+) uptake with their highest uptake/K(d) values being 99.82%/281 000 mL g(−1) and 99.79%/234 000 mL g(−1), respectively. Compared to the bare SnO(2) fibers, the SiO(2) component improved the elasticity and mechanical strength of the composite fibers which is advantageous in dynamic column operation.