Polymeric Nanofibers and Nanofiber Webs: A New Class of Nonwovens

Abstract

Nanofiber is a broad phrase generally referring to a fiber with a diameter less than 1 micron. While glass fibers have existed in the sub-micron range for some time and polymeric meltblown fibers are just beginning to break the micron barrier, 0.25 micron diameter electrospun nanofibers have been manufactured and used commercially for air filtration applications for more than twenty years. Several value-added nonwoven applications, including filtration, barrier fabrics, wipes, personal care, medical and pharmaceutical applications may benefit from the interesting technical properties of commercially available nanofibers and nanofiber webs. This paper will discuss the electrospinning process for making nanofibers and nonwoven nanofiber webs from synthetic fiber-forming polymers. The resulting physical characteristics of the nanofiber webs will be discussed. In order to provide a useful context for the nonwovens industry, nanofiber webs will be compared to both melt-blown and spunbond nonwovens. The description and comparison of the properties should provide product designers in the nonwovens industry with the tools to generate product and applications ideas about new uses for nanofibers.

Electrospun linear polyethyleneimine scaffolds for cell growth

“…Studies have shown that fibers electrospun from solutions at elevated temperatures were more uniform in diameter than those prepared at room temperature [25]. Due to the high surface-to-volume ratio of electrospun polymer fibers there are a broad range of applications, including scaffolds in tissue engineering, chemical/biological resistant protective clothing, filtration, enzyme immobilization, controlled drug release, membranes and sensors [5,19,26,27]. Polycationic polymers that contain a high density of protonated primary, secondary, tertiary and/or quaternary amines are of interest.…”

Separation of micron to sub-micron particles from water: Electrospun nylon-6 nanofibrous membranes as pre-filters

“…In separation technology, electrospun nanofibrous membranes have been used in a number of commercial air filtration applications over the last 20 years, and hold promise for technical benefits in an expanding field of these applications [20]. For example, a recognized industry, Donaldson Company Inc., commercially produces nanofibrous membrane incorporated in air filter products [21,22]. Recently, Gopal et al [18,19] have explored the viability of developing polyvinylidene fluoride and polysulfone membranes via the electrospinning process with subsequent heat treatment to increase the structural integrity of the as-spun nanofibrous membrane before particle-water separation.…”

Thermal instabilities in melt spinning of viscoelastic fibers

“…They also exhibit exceptional mechanical properties [1,2], which broadens their potential applications. Nanofibers are increasingly being used in high-value-added applications such as composites, filtration media, membrane separations, sensors, and biomaterials [3][4][5][6][7][8]. For instance, sensors made from nanofibers would be more sensitive to external stimulants, and membranes would be more efficient in capturing targets.…”