CHED 1146 |
| This project focuses on utilizing electrospun silica in the remediation of heavy metal contamination, specifically uranium. Electrospinning is a technique that has traditionally been used to create polymer nanofibers. The application of this process to silica is of interest due to the unique properties of electrospun material such as its nanoscaled features and large surface to volume ratio. Procedures were developed for producing electrospun silica of different morphologies (beads, fibers, and a porous membrane). The morphologies were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition and other factors were analyzed through FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. The materials were exposed to uranyl nitrate and the interaction observed over time. Electrospun fibers did not present interaction, whereas electrospun beads interacted for the entire period observed. An electrospun porous membrane showed interaction after 90 minutes, but not after 180 minutes. The nature of the interaction was analyzed using Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |