We investigate the formation of ultrathin nanofibers (UNFs) with diameters below 20 nm by electrospinning Nylon-6 solution with various processing parameters. It is found that the UNF density and morphology are highly dependent on the solution concentration and age, collecting distance, and ambient humidity. The sequence that ribbon-like fibers are stretched by the electric force, followed by rapid phase separation of the splitting film is proposed as a formation mechanism of the UNFs. Based on the morphological study, a model of hexagonal nets is developed in order to estimate the filtration efficiency by the UNF structure. The estimated efficiency due to the UNFs is then combined with the contribution from the un-split nanofibers (NFs) to compute the total filtration efficiency and pressure drop for each of the electrospun media by applying a layered multiple zone model. The filtration performance of the electrospun media against nanoparticles is evaluated using the quality factor and specific filtration performance index, weighed against the pressure drop and basis weight of the media, respectively. Our results show UNFs are advantageous when high filtration efficiency is required and low weight is desired and/or little space is available for the filter media.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
334 Leonard St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.