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

Nanoscale SnO2 has many important properties ranging from sorption of metal ions to gas sensing. Using a novel electroblowing method followed by calcination, we synthesized SnO2 and composite SnO2/SiO2 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 SnO2 was detected by XRD indicating the SnO2/SiO2 fibers to be composite instead of complete mixtures. We studied the Co2+ separation ability of the fibers, since Co-60 is a problematic contaminant in nuclear power plant wastewaters. Both SnO2 and SnO2/SiO2 fibers had an excellent Co2+ 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 SnO2 fibers, the SiO2 component improved the elasticity and mechanical strength of the composite fibers which is advantageous in dynamic column operation.