In the present study, polyamide 6@polyaniline-reduced graphene oxide (PA6@PANI-rGO) core shell nanofibrous composite was prepared by exploiting several fabrication techniques. Firstly, PA6 nanofibers (the core) were produced via electrospinning method. Then, aniline monomers were polymerized on the surface of the PA6 nanofibers via in situ polymerization method, leading to PA6@PANI nanofibers. In the next step, PA6@PANI-GO was prepared by immersing PA6@PANI into a GO suspension. Finally, PA6@PANI-GO was reduced by hydrazine to achieve PA6@PANI-rGO. The final product was then characterized via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), N2-adsorption–desoption method, tensile testing and water contact angle (WCA) analysis techniques. FTIR analysis demonstrated the successful synthesis of PA6@PANI-rGO, due to the existence of the PA6, PANI and rGO characteristic peaks in the final product spectrum. Furthermore, FESEM and TEM images showed the successful coating of rGO on the surface of the PA6@PANI nanofibers. In addition, PA6@PANI-rGO nanofibers exhibited improved hydrophilicity, lower WCA (40°) and higher porosity compared to the pristine PA6. A comparison of the tensile stress and thermal degradation of PA6 and PA6@PANI-rGO nanofibers exhibited that the existence of PANI and rGO coatings on the surface of PA6 improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the coated nanofibers of about 31% and 25%, respectively. Chromium (VI) removal studies for PA6@PANI-rGO showed its bright future in heavy metal elimination from the wastewater.
