Measuring Physical and Chemical Properties of Single Nanofibers for Energy Applications—Possibilities and Limits in ssalimpour

Nanofibres have gained attention for their highly porous structure, narrow pore size, and high specific surface area. One of the most efficient techniques for producing nanofibres is electrospinning. These fibres are used in various fields, including water filtration. Although they possess the ability to filter various components, the fibres generally have low mechanical strength, which can mitigate their performance over time. To address this, studies have focused on enhancing nanofibre membrane strength for water filtration. Previous analyses show that the mechanical properties of nanofibre mats can be improved through solvent vapour treatment, thermal treatment, and chemical crosslinking. 2023-08-01

In this study, a cryogel/nanofiber hybrid material was developed using a new lotus-leaf-inspired strategy. The lotus effect was generated via beaded poly( ε -caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers produced from the 9 wt% PCL solution with low viscosity and high surface tension via electrospinning. A poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) cryogel layer was constructed through polymerization onto the beaded PCL nanofibrous mat. The thickness of the PHEMA cryogel/beaded PCL nanofiber hybrid material was 3.19 ± 0.07 mm. Morphological characterization studies of the hybrid material were conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mean diameter of the beaded PCL nanofibers was 97.22 ± 21.18 nm. 2024-03-01

In electrospinning, nanofibers are frequently produced in nonwoven web form. Their poor mechanical properties (below 100 MPa) and difficulty in tailoring the fibrous structure have restricted their applications. However, advanced materials must be highly resistant to both deformation and fracture. By combining electrospinning technology with stretching, we have overcome this disadvantage and demonstrated a polyacrylonitrile nanofiber yarn with a tensile strength of 743 ± 20 MPa. The nearly perfect uniaxial orientation of the fibrils under the stretching process is crucial for the remarkable mechanical properties of the yarn. Additionally, the nanofiber yarn was functionalized by a 2024-11-01

Citation: Brockhagen, B.; Hellert, C.; Grothe, T.; Güth, U.; Storck, J.L.; Ehrmann, A.; Wortmann, M. Freestanding Flexible Carbon Nanofiber Mats for Energy Storage Applications. Mater. Proc. 2025, 21, 1. Abstract: Carbon nanofiber mats can be applied for diverse energy applications. Usually, they should be freestanding and show sufficient structural stability. Poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) is often used as the base material for electrospinning due to its high carbon yield during carbonization. Carbonized PAN nanofiber mats, however, may be brittle and break under mechanical load. Here, we report a study of the impact of ZnO and tetraethyl or-thosilicate (TEOS) as nanoparticle additives on the 2025-02-01

In this study, a novel handheld battery-operated electrospinning device equipped with a nanofiber concentrator was developed to enhance target area control during nanofiber deposition. The device manipulates the electric field using the dielectric properties of a polymeric tunnel, enabling precise deposition of nanofibers with specific patterns. Low molecular weight chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CS/PVA) nanofibers with an average diameter of 65 ± 9 nm were successfully synthesized. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations demonstrated the effectiveness of the nanofiber concentrator in stabilizing the whipping jet, reducing deposition area, and increasing accuracy. 2025-02-01