Halloysite nanotube-based electrospun ceramic nanofibre mat: a novel support for zeolite membranes

Abstract

Some key parameters of supports such as porosity, pore shape and size are of great importance for fabrication and performance of zeolite membranes. In this study, we fabricated millimetre-thick, self-standing electrospun ceramic nanofibre mats and employed them as a novel support for zeolite membranes. The nanofibre mats were prepared by electrospinning a halloysite nanotubes/polyvinyl pyrrolidone composite followed by a programmed sintering process. The interwoven nanofibre mats possess up to 80% porosity, narrow pore size distribution, low pore tortuosity and highly interconnected pore structure. Compared with the commercial α-Al2O3 supports prepared by powder compaction and sintering, the halloysite nanotube-based mats (HNMs) show higher flux, better adsorption of zeolite seeds, adhesion of zeolite membranes and lower Al leaching. Four types of zeolite membranes supported on HNMs have been successfully synthesized with either in situ crystallization or a secondary growth method, demonstrating good universality of HNMs for supporting zeolite membranes.

Determination of Electrospinning Parameters’ Strength in Poly(D,L)-lactide-co-glycolide Micro/Nanofiber Diameter Tailoring

“…One central challenge pertains to the optimization of this spinning process. To date, various work has been completed to investigate the influence of processing parameters on the electrospinning of different materials, including collagen [10,11], wheat gluten [11], polystyrene [12], polycaprolactone [13], poly(L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) [14], chitosan-gelatin blend [15], poly(vinyl alcohol) [16], polylactide [16], polydimethlsiloxane [17], polyamide [18,19], silica [20], silk fibroin [21], peptide-based supramolecular polymers [22], and halloysite nanotubes/polyvinylpyrrolidone composite [23]. However, research on the electrospinning of poly(D,L)-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) has been few.…”

Halloysite in Different Ceramic Products: A Review

“…Chen et al [ 82 ] produced low-cost halloysite-based ceramic nanofiber mats by electrospinning and sintering for use as support in zeolite membranes. The new ceramic materials were characterized by higher interconnected porosity, mechanical strength, flux and adhesion compared to the a-Al 2 O 3 commercial support of zeolite.…”

Unique Halloysite Nanotubes–Polyvinyl Alcohol–Polyvinylpyrrolidone Composite Complemented with Physico–Chemical Characterization

“…Through the dispersion of natural nanotube structural clays, it is convenient to obtain uniform nanotube structure for wider applications [13]. It was found that even small loadings of HNTs were sufficient to make significant changes in the polymer properties [14]. In particular, the surface morphology is very sensitive to the nature of the polymer [8].…”