Thermoregulated gas transport through electrospun nanofiber membranes

Abstract

Thermoregulation of gas transport using electrospun fiber membranes is demonstrated experimentally for the first time. The fiber membranes comprise three layers: a middle layer of electrospun polystyrene sandwiched between two outer layers of electrospun cellulose acetate mat as supports, bonded together by hot pressing. The electrospun polystyrene layer serves as a phase change material that blocks transport of gases though the membrane when the fibers de-vitrify. The membrane exhibited a reduction in oxygen flux at temperatures in excess of 140 °C. Using a blend of polysulfone and polystyrene resulted in an upward shift of the transition temperature to 250 °C. Modeling of transport was performed to estimate the impact of the morphological properties of the membranes such as tortuosity, fiber diameter, and porosity.

Tailoring Water-Resistant and Breathable Performance of Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibrous Membranes Modified by Polydimethylsiloxane

“…The average pore size within the range of 0.65 to 0.96 μm after PDMS modification was far bigger than the size of water vapor and air molecules. On account of this phenomena and according to Darcy’s law, porosity played an important role in WVTR and air permeability. − Therefore, the relationship between porosity and breathability (WVTR and air permeability) was investigated, as shown in Figure c,d. WVTR and air permeability demonstrated a linear relationship with porosity.…”

Robust Fluorine-Free Superhydrophobic Amino-Silicone Oil/SiO2 Modification of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Membranes for Waterproof-Breathable Application

“…This decreasing tendency can be explained by Fickian diffusion model, which expounded diffusion flux were positively related to diffusion coefficient, which were determined by the porosity. 39,40 Therefore, it seemed that the relationship among WVTR, air permeability, and porosity involved significantly positive linear correlation (Figure 6d). On the basis of the wettability and porous structure analysis, PAN@ASO-1/SiO 2 modified by various concentrations of SiO 2 NPs provided coordinated controllable superhydrophobicity and porous structure characteristics (pore size and porosity).…”

Removal of volatile organic compounds from air using activated carbon impregnated cellulose acetate electrospun mats

“…Feng et al [11] studied chloroform removal by membrane gas stripping using electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber membranes. Additionally, electrospun mats were used for other separation processes, such as thermoregulated gas transport [15], particulate matter filtration, and seawater desalination [16], which mainly depends on the large surface area of the electrospun mats. In general, as the specific area increased, the separation properties improved.…”