scholarly journals Preparation of Ag Doped Keratin/PA6 Nanofiber Membrane with Enhanced Air Filtration and Antimicrobial Properties

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baolei Shen ◽  
Dongyu Zhang ◽  
Yujuan Wei ◽  
Zihua Zhao ◽  
Xiaofei Ma ◽  
...  

Coarse wool is a kind of goat wool that is difficult to further process in the textile industry due to its large diameter, dispersion, better strength, and less bending. Therefore, coarse wool is often discarded as waste or made into low-cost products. In this work, keratin was extracted from coarse wool by a high-efficiency method, and then, an Ag-doped keratin/PA6 composite nanofiber membrane with enhanced filtration and antibacterial performance was prepared using HCOOH as solvent and reductant. HAADF-STEM (high-angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy) shows that AgNPs are uniformly distributed in keratin/PA6 (30/70) nanofibers. TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) and DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) were employed to investigate the thermal stability of composite membranes with different keratin and AgNP contents. The present keratin as a dopant with polyamide-6 (PA6) was found not only to improve air filtration efficiency but also to enhance water–vapour transmission (WVT). The addition of the Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) gave a strong antibacterial activity to the composite membrane against Staphylococcus aureus (99.62%) and Escherichia coli (99.10%). Bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) of the composite membrane against S. aureus and E. coli were up to 96.8% and 95.6%, respectively. All of the results suggested a great potential for coarse wool extraction and application in the air filtration field.

2017 ◽  
Vol 138 ◽  
pp. 124-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaobing Liu ◽  
Hamid Souzandeh ◽  
Yudong Zheng ◽  
Yajie Xie ◽  
Wei-Hong Zhong ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 239-242 ◽  
pp. 263-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Rahmah Mokhtaruddin ◽  
Abu Bakar Mohamad ◽  
Loh Kee Shyuan ◽  
Abdul Amir Hassan Kadhum ◽  
Mahreni Akhmad

Polymer electrolyte membrane based on Nafion and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) was developed via film casting method. The content of ZrO2 (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 wt.%) was incorporated with Nafion solution to prepare Nafion-ZrO2 composite membranes. Recast Nafion membrane was used as reference material. All of the prepared membranes have been subjected to both physical and chemical characterizations such as Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, water uptake rate (WUR) and conductivity measurements. The Nafion-ZrO2 composite membranes were found to possess high thermal stability (Tg= 188 - 192°C) and conductivity (0.30 – 0.93 S cm-1). This study demonstrates the possibility of developing Nafion-ZrO2 composite membrane as promising polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell operated at medium temperature and low humidity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 355-361
Author(s):  
Wenxiu Yang ◽  
Lin Li ◽  
Shuo Wang ◽  
Jinshu Liu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to fabricate a high-performance filtration electrospun nanofiber membrane with antibacterial function. The Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) gotten by reducing AgNO3 act as antimicrobial agent. Then the AgNPs/Polyacrylonitrile (AgNPs/PAN) composite nanofiber membrane was prepared by electrospinning. Design/methodology/approach The electrospun Ag/PAN composite membrane was prepared by one step, in which the Ag particles were acting as antibacterial agent and PAN nanofiber as the upholder of the composite mat. AgNPs were obtained by reducing AgNO3 in N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) solution at high temperature. Meanwhile, the PAN particles were added to DMF solution and dissolved. Then the Ag/PAN nanofiber was obtained by electrospinning. Findings The thinner nanofiber can be produced with PAN concentration of 12 per cent and AgNPs concentration of 10 per cent. Finally, the filtration resistance of the composite membrane with antibacterial property is as high as 99.1 per cent, and the filtration efficiency is only 83 Pa. Therefore, the AgNPs/PAN composite membrane is the ideal choice for air filtration with antibacterial property. Originality/value The AgNPs/PAN composite nanofiber membrane has high filtration performance for particulate matter (PM)25 and outstanding antibacterial property to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which can be used with masks, air-conditioning filters (including car air-conditioning filters), window screening and other similar objects.


RSC Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 7108-7115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dandan Xu ◽  
Xiaoting Zheng ◽  
Ru Xiao

EVOH nanofiber membrane was prepared by melt blending extrusion and high-speed airflow deposition. Then NCC/EVOH nanofiber composite membranes were obtained via coating and deposition the barrier layer on the surface of the nanofiber membrane for oil/water separation.


BDJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nashib Pandey ◽  
Buddha Bahadur Basnet ◽  
Sushmit Koju ◽  
Anju Khapung ◽  
Alka Gupta

Abstract Objective To access the awareness of dental practitioners of Nepal towards COVID-19 transmission through aerosols. Materials and methods The study involved 384 dentists from all over Nepal and was conducted for a period of 3 months. A self-reported online questionnaire was developed using Google forms and the link was shared. It emphasized the awareness related to the aerosol and ventilation system in their daily practices was prepared. The data were analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 software. Results The majority of participants were female 52.9% (n = 203) and within the age groups of <30 years 57% (n = 219). Participants from Bagmati Province were 60.4% (n = 232), with least from Sudurpaschim Province 0.5% (n = 2). 60% of participants provided only emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic and few (7%) provided consultations via telephone. The current ventilation system used was a well-ventilated room with open windows 65.4% (n = 251). However, 52.8% (n = 203) preferred specialized operatory incorporating high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and ultraviolet (UV) light. More than 60% of respondents were unaware of the particle size of the aerosol. Conclusions The obtained results signify the need for the proper ventilation system with appropriate air filtration systems in dental clinical setups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanli Chen ◽  
Hui Fan ◽  
Xinlin Zha ◽  
Wenwen Wang ◽  
Yi Wu ◽  
...  

AbstractHigh efficiency and anti-pollution oil/water separation membrane has been widely explored and researched. There are a large number of hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica, which has good wettability and can be used for oil-water separation membranes. Hydrophilic silica nanostructures with different morphologies were synthesized by changing templates and contents of trimethylbenzene (TMB). Here, silica nanospheres with radical pores, hollow silica nanospheres and worm-like silica nanotubes were separately sprayed on the PVA-co-PE nanofiber membrane (PM). The abundance of hydroxyl groups and porous structures on PM surfaces enabled the absorption of silica nanospheres through hydrogen bonds. Compared with different silica nanostructures, it was found that the silica/PM exhibited excellent super-hydrophilicity in air and underwater “oil-hating” properties. The PM was mass-produced in our lab through melt-extrusion-phase-separation technique. Therefore, the obtained membranes not only have excellent underwater superoleophobicity but also have a low-cost production. The prepared silica/PM composites were used to separate n-hexane/water, silicone oil/water and peanut oil water mixtures via filtration. As a result, they all exhibited efficient separation of oil/water mixture through gravity-driven filtration.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 155892501400900 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Sakthivel ◽  
Anban J.J. Ezhil ◽  
T. Ramachandran

This paper reports an investigative study on the fabrication and measurement of the air permeability, mechanical properties, pore size distribution, and filtration efficiency of different nonwoven fabrics produced from reclaimed fibers by analytically changing the machine variables to manipulate the physical parameters of the nonwoven fabrics. Reclaimed fiber of cotton (60%) and polyester (40%) blend was used, so that the prospect of value addition to an inexpensive source of raw material could be explored. The changes in air permeability were interpreted in terms of fabric density profile and pore size distribution. The filtration parameters of filtration efficiency, dust holding capacity, and pressure drop were also calculated. Additionally, the effects of calendering on pore size and filtration properties were evaluated to discover the opportunity of fine-tuning and the performance of the filters. The outcome in this study reflected an overall development in all filtration characteristics due to the calendering operation.


Author(s):  
Tzyy-Lung Leon Yu ◽  
Shih-Hao Liu ◽  
Hsiu-Li Lin ◽  
Po-Hao Su

The PBI (poly(benzimidazole)) nano-fiber thin film with thickness of 18–30 μm is prepared by electro-spinning from a 20 wt% PBI/DMAc (N, N′-dimethyl acetamide) solution. The PBI nano-fiber thin film is then treated with a glutaraldehyde liquid for 24h at room temperature to proceed chemical crosslink reaction. The crosslink PBI nano-fiber thin film is then immersed in Nafion solutions to prepare Nafion/PBI nano-fiber composite membranes (thickness 22–34 μm). The morphology of the composite membranes is observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mechanical properties, conductivity, and unit fuel cell performance of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the composite membrane are investigated and compared with those of Nafion-212 membrane (thickness ∼50 μm) and Nafion/porous PTFE (poly(tetrafluoro ethylene)) composite membrane (thickness ∼22 μm). We show the present composite membrane has a similar fuel cell performance to Nafion/PTFE and a better fuel cell performance than Du Pont Nafion-212.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gandhimathi Sivasubramanian ◽  
Senthil Andavan Gurusamy Thangavelu ◽  
Berlina Maria Mahimai ◽  
Krishnan Hariharasubramanian ◽  
PARADESI DEIVANAYAGAM

Abstract Advanced polymer composite membranes were prepared from a linear sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) with bismuth cobalt zinc oxide [BCZO, (Bi2O3)0.07(CoO)0.03(ZnO)0.90] nanopowder as an inorganic additive for the application of H2-O2 fuel cell. Morphology data tend to provide evidences for the incorporation of BCZO into SPEEK polymer. Indeed, composite membrane loaded with 7.5 wt.% of BCZO was identified to uptake maximum water, while the pristine SPEEK membrane occurred to retain only 24.0 %. As such SPEEK matrix loaded with 7.5 wt.% of BCZO was found to exhibit the maximum proton conductivity of 0.030 S cm-1, whereas the pristine membrane was restricted to 0.021 S cm-1. Evidently, TGA profile of the composite membrane was measured to exhibit sufficient thermal stability to employ as electrolyte in fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly of pristine SPEEK and SP-BCZO-7.5 wt.% membranes were fabricated and studied for their electrochemical performance. Indeed, the characteristics of newly developed composite membranes led to possess incredible feature towards fuel cell applications.


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