Abstract: In the present work, nanofibre membranes composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and a natural gums were prepared using electrospinning. The electrospun membranes were cross-linked with heat treatment and later methane plasma was used to obtain a hydrophobic membranes. The morphology, characterization and adsorption ability was assessed using scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR techniques, water contact angle and ICP-MS analytical methods. The membranes were employed for the extraction of nanoparticles (Ag, Au, Pt, CuO and Fe₃O₄) from water. The nanoparticle extraction kinetic and adsorption isotherm perform the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. The adsorption capacities of the membrane for the removal of NPs from water diverge in the order Pt >Au > Ag > CuO > Fe₃O₄. The high adsorption efficiency for the removal of NPs from water was compared with an untreated membrane.

Keywords:  nanofibres, natural polymers, gums, contaminant removal