Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries

Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries

Investigating the possibility of producing electro spun cellulose nanofibers from cigarette filter waste

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Ziba Fathi 1
Ali Abdolkhani 2
Yahya Hamzeh 2
Alireza Ashori 3
Juha Lipponen 4
1 PhD Student, Department of wood and paper science and technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
2 University of Tehran
3 President , Irost
4 Professor, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
10.22034/ijwp.2024.2030154.1670
Abstract
Problem definition and objectives: Environmental pollution resulting from massive waste production worldwide has become a significant global concern. Among these wastes, cigarette filters are notable for their non-biodegradable nature and the presence of toxic compounds such as nicotine, posing considerable environmental risks. Over 6 trillion cigarettes are estimated to be consumed annually worldwide, resulting in a substantial volume of cigarette filter waste. These wastes persist in the environment and can leach harmful substances into natural resources such as soil and water, causing ecological and health problems. This study investigates the potential of recycling cigarette filters as a raw material for producing cellulose fibers using electrospinning. The goal is to provide an innovative solution to mitigate the environmental impacts of these wastes while creating value from otherwise discarded materials.
Methodology: To achieve this, cigarette filters were collected and purified using a combination of various organic solvents. The purification process included the removal of tobacco, ash, and other contaminants from the filters. Subsequently, a 10% weight solution of cellulose acetate was prepared using a solvent mixture of acetone and dimethylacetamide, and the electrospinning process was carried out. The chemical and physical properties of the produced fibers were analyzed using advanced techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology and surface characteristics of the fibers were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Parameters such as solution concentration, applied voltage, feed rate, and needle-to-collector distance were optimized to achieve ideal electrospinning conditions.
Results: The results of this study revealed that toxic compounds, such as nicotine, were effectively removed during the purification process, demonstrating the high efficiency of the applied method. Microscopic analyses showed that the morphology of fibers produced from cigarette filters was comparable to those made from commercial cellulose acetate powder, with no significant differences in surface uniformity and fiber diameter. The fiber diameters ranged from 150 to 400 nanometers, with a uniform distribution. Furthermore, FTIR analysis confirmed a high degree of overlap in the chemical compositions of fibers derived from recycled cigarette filters and commercial cellulose acetate powder.
Conclusion: In addition to addressing environmental concerns, producing cellulose fibers from cigarette filter waste offers the potential to create high-value materials. These fibers, with features such as uniform surface, suitable diameter, and stable chemical composition, can be utilized in various industries, including producing separation membranes, water and air filtration systems, and even medical applications such as bio-compatible wound dressings. This research demonstrates that recycling industrial waste for advanced material production is a crucial step in environmental conservation and contributes to sustainable economic development.
Keywords
Waste
Nanofiber
Cellulose Acetate
Cigarette Filter
Electrospinning

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries
Volume 15, Issue 3
Autumn 2024
Pages 239-253