Bromopropyl functionalized silica nanofibers for effective removal of trace level dieldrin from water

► Bromopropyl modified silica nanofibers were fabricated by calcination of electrospun PVA/TEOS fibers and subsequent surface modification with 3-bromopropyltrichlorosilane. ► The prepared bromopropyl-silica nanofibers possessed specific surface area and pores beneficial for removal of hydrophobic POPs. ► A maximum removal rate was evaluated to be 91.02% for such nanofibers, much higher than the commercially available granular activated carbon (38.65%).