Preparation, characterization, and air filtration property of electrospun bimodal fibrous membrane based on low conductivity blended polymers solution

• Published in: Materials today communications 2023-03, Vol.34, p.105014, Article 105014
• Main Authors: Shao, Zungui, Kang, Guoyi, Chen, Huatan, Jiang, Jiaxin, Wang, Xiang, Li, Wenwang, Liu, Yifang, Zheng, Gaofeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bimodal fibrous membrane; Blended polymers solution; Coronavirus disease 2019; Electrospinning; High–performance air filter
• ISSN: 2352-4928; 2352-4928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.105014

One–step preparation of electrospun bimodal fibrous membrane based on single nozzle is the key to the efficient fabrication of high–performance air filter. However, the preparation mechanism of electrospun bimodal fibers at low conductivity solution system is not clear, and there is a lack of evaluation methods for the quality of bimodal nanofibers, which limits the applicability of single nozzle electrospinning and the preparation efficiency of electrospun bimodal fibers. Here, three electrospinning processes at low conductivity solution systems of polyamide–6 (PA6), PA6 blended PVP (PA6/PVP), and PA6 blended polyethylene oxide (PA6/PEO) were studied according to the rheological properties and the fluid electrics (i.e., zeta potential), and the quality of the prepared bimodal fibrous membrane was creatively evaluated by R value. Inhomogeneous phase separations of the electrospinning jet along the direction parallel (x–axis) or perpendicular (y–axis) to the electric field were responsible for the formation of bimodal fibers. In addition, for the same solution system, the R value had a positive correlation with the air filtration performance. This work will greatly enhance the applicability of one–step single nozzle electrospinning for the preparation of bimodal nanofibers, improve the preparation efficiency, and promote the development of high–performance air filter. [Display omitted] •Electrospun Bimodal Fibers prepared with Low Conductivity Blended Polymer Solution.•Analysis of electrospinning behavior based on binding energy and fluid electrics.•Characterization of bimodal fibers and optimization of air filtration performance.