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.