The effectiveness of rare earth element (REE) extraction and separation is essential to the future of sustainable and renewable energy. By biofunctionalizing our electrospun PVA/PEI nanofibers, a new method may be adapted for a more effective and environmentally friendly filtration method of REEs. Multiple concentrations of PVA/PEI solutions were characterized and electrospun. These nanofibers were then maleimide functionalized and immobilized with LBT. The fibers were then placed in a neodymium stock solution and allowed to adsorb and desorb. An Arsenazo III photometric assay was performed to calculate the concentration of Nd adsorbed and desorbed from the fibers. Our samples did not successfully adsorb the Nd because the fiber capacity of adsorption was most likely too small. To continue, we will spin different PVA/PEI chemistries that have more PEI to allow for more amine reactivity and characterize them under FTIR and Fluorescence Microscopy before and after functionalization. We will also compensate for the adsorbance capacity of the fibers when measuring Nd ion concentrations.

Fabrication of biofunctionalized PVA/PEI nanofibers for rare earth element extraction

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