Improvement in the Filtration Performance of an Ultraporous Nanofiber Membrane by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma-Induced Surface Modification

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Nanofiber membranes have outstanding potential for filtration applications due to their great specific surface area, high porosity, and modifiable structure. Compared to conventional membranes, nanofiber membranes offer substantial high flux and high rejection ratios. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis on the filtration performance of plasma treatment on the polyacrylonitrile nanofiber membrane. The pores in the original membrane were utilized about a mere 10%, while those of the plasma-irradiated membrane were utilized nearly 60%. The membrane modification was performed using N 2, O 2, and Ar plasma. It was found that Ar plasma was most effective for etching the membrane structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was applied to detect the chemical changes on the membranes. The contact angle of the water droplets on the original membrane was 96.1°; however, after the Ar plasma treatment, it declined to 0°. Finally, the particle retention details in different cross sections of the filtered membranes were observed via a scanning electron microscope. The main innovation is to clarify the changes in the mechanism of the nanofiber membrane trapping particles before and after plasma treatment. In the filtration test after plasma treatment, the internal space of the membrane was fully and effectively utilized, and the flux was also improved. The obtained results suggest a potential application of the plasma-treated nanofiber membrane in water treatment.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

1. 23.

   Chitin and Chitosan Nanofibers: Preparation and Chemical Modifications · 2014

39 more references, whose wording the paper’s licence keeps private.

A person counts once a day per paper. We keep no cookie and no address: a reader is a hash that changes every day. Any month under five reads shows no number.