A comparative study on electrosprayed, layer‐by‐layer, and chemically grafted nanomembranes loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, carboxylic acid coated iron oxide nanoparticles (CA‐Fe3O4 NPs) were applied to Nylon 6 nanomembranes by three different techniques: (1) simultaneous electrospinning/electrospraying, (2) layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly, and (3) chemical grafting. These membranes have potential use toward clean‐up of polluted rivers due to the multi‐functional properties of the NPs. However, it is critical to evaluate particle retention and stability on fibers to reduce human health and environmental concerns. This study evaluates the NP treatment uniformity, and particle retention of the membranes based on knowledge of the preparation process. Electron microscopy and CIELAB spectrophotometry revealed that the NPs were uniformly dispersed via the electrospun/electrosprayed and grafted methods while non‐uniformity was observed on LbL treated membranes. The membranes were washed in solutions of various pH levels (pH = 4, 7, 10) to investigate NP release and retention. Inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectroscopy results indicate particle release is driven by pH‐dependent, bonding interactions between the NPs and the Nylon 6 fibers. Over 97% of NPs were retained on all treated membranes after washing for 60 min. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42657.

Electrospun polysulfone (PSf)/titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposite fibers as substrates to prepare thin film forward osmosis membranes

“…Thus, in order to enhance the membrane performance in FO applications, it is essential to fabricate membrane with an ideal support layer which could reduce the internal concentration polarization phenomenon in terms of porosity, tortuosity, thickness and chemical stability . Based on the existing literature, the most commonly used method for the porous support layer is a phase inversion process . But the porosity of conventional phase inverted membranes is 10–20% less than electrospun nano‐fibrous membranes .…”

Morphological traits essential to electrospun and grafted Nylon‐6 nanofiber membranes for capturing submicron simulated exhaled breath aerosols

“…By far, the most economically flexible way to produce nanofiber membranes is through the electrospinning process . Nearly all aspects of the production, from solution to fabrication related parameters, are controllable by the experimentalist—thus, enabling the fast production of tailored nanofiber membranes with selected morphologies, and functional attributes …”

“…41,42 Nearly all aspects of the production, from solution to fabrication related parameters, are controllable by the experimentalist-thus, enabling the fast production of tailored nanofiber membranes with selected morphologies, and functional attributes. [43][44][45][46][47] Therefore, taking into consideration the need for improvements in current face mask design and materials, the existing timerelated difficulties in diagnosing airborne transmitted illnesses, and the known ability to fabricate textile grade polymers into nonwovens via the electrospinning process, we report on the simulated exhaled salt aerosol capture efficiencies of membranes extracted from three large scale (15 cm 3 93 cm), and uniformly thick, electrospun nylon sheets containing fiber diameters ranging from 100 to 150 nm, against that of commercial woven and nonwoven textiles. The size percentages of aerosol salt captured are also reported.…”