Self-assembly of positively charged SiO2/Y2O3 composite nanofiber membranes with plum-flower-like structures for the removal of water contaminants

Water contaminants, especially bacterial and viral contaminants, have substantially negative impacts on human health because of their wide variety and incredibly small sizes. To develop a nanofiber filter with a high adsorption capacity, a positively charged SiO2/Y2O3 composite membrane with a plum-flower-like structure was prepared by self-assembly and heat treatment. The effects of the hydrothermal temperature and reaction time on the...