Influence of iron (III) ions on the structure of ultrathin fibers of poly(3-hydroxibutirate)

Ultrathin fibers based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) biopolymer containing 1-5 wt.% of iron (III) complex with tetraphenylporphyrin (FeClTPP) were obtained by electrospinning. For the purpose of analytical determination of iron ions, methods of UV-spectroscopy and EPR-spectroscopy were used. It was shown the effect of the complex on crystalline phase and segmental mobility of PHB molecules in the amorphous areas of ultrathin fibers. The introduction of low concentration of FeClTPP (up to 5 wt.%) led to a significant increase in PHB crystallines size and the degree of crystallinity, as well as sealing of amorphous regions. The obtained data indicated the good perspectives of using the methods of UV-spectroscopy and EPR-spectroscopy for the analytical determination of iron ions in non-woven fibrous sorbents designed for purification of polluted water from heavy metal ions.