• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.151-157
• /
• 2014

In this study, the nanofiber composite membrane was prepared by electrospinning method with poly (ancrylonitrile) (PAN) and a dispersed solution of graphene oxide (GO) and $Fe_3O_4$ functionalized graphene oxide (M-GO) in dimethyl formamide (DMF). The pore-diameter of prepared membranes was controlled by change of those layers. It was confirmed with SEM that the nanofiber composite membranes having fiber size of 500 nm were prepared. It was found with Raman spectroscopy and EDS that GO and M-GO were well dispersed on those membranes. Final nanofiber composite membrane showed the similar pore properties ($0.21{\sim}0.24{\mu}m$/pore-size, 40% porosity) with the commercial membrane ($0.27{\mu}m$/pore-size, 55% porosity) and their water-flux results also showed the 200% higher flux than its PAN membrane. From these results, it was expected that the nanofiber composite membrane prepared by electrospinning method could be utilized as a water-treatment membrane.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.284-289
• /
• 2017

In this study, natural clay as a filler was systematically integrated into polysulfone nanofibers to prepare polysulfone/clay composite membranes with mechanical properties. The composite nanofibers were formed by electrospinning of a mixed precursor of polysulfone and clay. The pore size of the composite membranes was adjusted by simply controlling the number of layers of nanofibers. The overall membrane properties were examined by SEM, contact angle, pore characteristics, tensile strength and water flux. In particular, the presence of clay within the nanofibers was confirmed with SEM images and the mechanical property of the composite nanofiber membranes was examined by tensile strength measurements. Thus, the prepared composite membranes were expected to be utilized for water treatment system.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.116-125
• /
• 2016

This study described a synthesis of MF having a arsenic removal characteristics and the fundamental research was performed about the simultaneous removal system of both As(III) and As(V) ions with the composite nanofiber membrane (PMF) based on PVdF and MF materials for the water-treatment application. From the TEM analysis, the shape and structure of MF materials was investigated. The mechanical strength, pore-size, contact angle and water-flux analysis for the PMF was performed to investigate the possibility of utilizing as a water treatment membrane. From these results, the PMF11 showed the highest value of mechanical strength ($232.7kgf/cm^2$) and the pore-diameter of composite membrane was reduced by introducing the MF materials. In particular, their pore diameter decreased with an increase of iron oxide composition ratio. The water flux value of PMF was improved about 10 to 60% compared with that of neat PVdF nanofiber membranes. From the arsenic removal characterization of prepared MF materials and PMF, it was shown the simultaneous removal characteristics of both As(III) and (V) ions, and the MF01, in particular, showed the highest adsorption-removal rate of 93% As(III) and 68% As(V), respectively. From these results, prepared MF materials and PMF have shown a great potential to be utilized for the fundamental study to improve the functionality of water treatment membrane.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.480-489
• /
• 2016

In this study, the PVdF/MGO composite nanofiber membranes (PMGs) introducing Iron oxide-Graphene oxide ($Fe_3O_4/GO$, Metallic graphene oxide; MGO) was prepared via electrospinng method and its arsenic removal characteristics were investigated. The thermal treatment was carried out to improve the mechanical strength of nanofiber membranes and then the results showed that of outstanding improvement effect. However, in case of PMGs, the decreasing tendency of mechanical strength was indicated as increasing MGO contents. From the results of pore-size analysis, it was confirmed that the porous structured membranes with 0.3 to $0.45{\mu}m$ were prepared. For the water treatment application, the water flux measurement was carried out. In particular, PMG2.0 sample showed about 70% improved water flux results ($153kg/m^2h$) compared to that of pure PVdF nanofiber membrane ($91kg/m^2h$) under the 0.3 bar condition. In addition, the PMGs have indicated the high removal rates of both As(III) and As(V) (up to 81% and 68%, respectively). Based on the adsorption isotherm analysis, the adsorption of As(III) and As(V) ions were both more suitable for the Freundlich. From all of results, it was concluded that PVdF/MGO composite nanofiber membranes could be utilized as a water treatment membrane and for the Arsenic removal applications.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2015

In this study the nanofiber was prepared by electrospinning method with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) and a completely dispersed solution of graphene oxide (GO) in the mixed solvent of dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetone. The $0.4{\mu}m$ pore size microfiltration flat membrane was made by increasing layers of the PVdF/GO composite nanofiber. Also, transmembrane pressure (TMP) was measured in order to evaluate fouling of the PVdF/GO composite membrane which was introduced GO reducing biological fouling with the intrinsic antibacterial characteristics. The permeate experiments were carried out simultaneously for the PVdF/GO and commercialized CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) flat membranes with $0.01m^2$ effective area in the activated sludge solution of MLSS 4,500 mg/L. TMP of PVdF/GO membrane decreased up to 79% lower than that of CPVC for $10L/m^2{\cdot}h$ permeate flux without air supply. Also, for the case of run/stop operational mode, TMP of PVdF/GO membrane decreased up to 69% lower than that of CPVC for $10L/m^2{\cdot}h$.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.164-175
• /
• 2022

In this work, sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) composite membranes including strontium zirconate (SrZrO₃) were fabricated by the electrospinning method. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis were used to identify the chemical structure and the crystallinity of SrZrO₃ and electrospun composite membranes. The thermal stability of the pure SPEEK and SPEEK/SrZrO₃ electrospun composite membranes were investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis. The physicochemical properties and proton conductivity were enhanced with the addition of different weight ratio of SrZrO₃ nanofiller (2, 4 and 6 wt%) in SPEEK polymer. The optimized SPEEK/SrZrO₃-4 electrospun membrane containing 4 wt% of SrZrO₃ showed a high proton conductivity compared to other electrospun SPEEK/SrZrO₃ composite membranes. The results indicate that electrospun composite membranes incorporating these perovskite nanofillers should be explored as potential candidates for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2011.10a
• /
• pp.1.1-1.1
• /
• 2011

Electrospinning has known to be very effective tool for production of versatile one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured materials such as nanofibers, nanorod, and nanotubes and for easily assembly to two-, three-dimensional(2D, 3D) nanostructures such as thin film, membrane, and nonwoven web, etc. We have studied on the electrospinning technology for novel energy storage and conversion materials such as advanced separator, dye sensitized solar cell, supercapacitor, etc. High heat-resistive nanofibrous membrane as a new separator for future lithium ion polymer battery was prepared by electrospinning of PVdF based composite solution. The novel nanofibrous composite nonwovens have tensile strength of above 50 MPa and modulus of above 1.3 GPa. The internal structure of the electrospun composite nanofiber with a diameter of few hundreds nanometer were composed of core-shell nanostructure. And also electrospun $TiO_2$ nanorod/nanosphere based dye-sensitized solar cells with high efficiency are successfully prepared. Some battery performance will be introduced.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.75-83
• /
• 2015

In this study, chlorophylls were been extracted from common local plants, deposited on polypropylene (PP) substrate using various approaches, and the oxygen generation effect of the chlorophylls were investigated. The loading of chlorophylls on the substrates was achieved by dipping and spraying methods, where the spraying coating showed overall better results regarding oxygen generation from the combustion experiments in the closed vessel or in the isolated vacuum oven cell than those of dip coating. In addition, a composite substrate was prepared by nylon6/6 nanofiber on the PP substrate, and it exhibited an increase in the activation of chlorophylls. In the case of samples containing titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$), the reaching time of oxygen concentration from 16% to 21% and the combustion test using a candle for a sample with 50% chlorophylls showed similar results to those of a sample without $TiO_2$. As such, combining a spray coating and $TiO_2$ incorporation into gas separation membrane systems are expected to be useful to understand the fundamentals of material properties for their applications as oxygen generation membranes and air filtration systems.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.255-262
• /
• 2017

In this study, systematic integration of graphene oxide (GO) into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers was accomplished by electrospinning to examine their mechanical properties. Exfoliated GO was initially prepared by the modified Hummer's method, and the surface of the GO was modified with an organic surfactant (e.g., cetyltrimetylammonium chloride) to improve its stability and dispersity. The overall mechanical property of the nanofiber composite membranes was highly improved. Particularly, the composite membranes with the modified GO exhibited much improved mechanical property, presumably due to the increased stability and dispersity of GO during electrospinning.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.89-92
• /
• 2020

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibers are widely used in the textile industry, filter media, membrane distillation, electronic appliances, and construction. In this study, PTFE-polyethylene oxide (PEO) fibrous membranes were fabricated by emulsion electrospinning; subsequently, pure PTFE nanofibers were obtained via sintering. PTFE-PEO electrospinning solutions were prepared using different weight ratios to determine the optimized condition. As the ratio of the PEO increased, the fiber structure improved. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy observations indicate that PEO is removed and PTFE fused gradually to form bonds among them during sintering. The obtained pristine PTFE membrane demonstrated hydrophobicity at 143.6° water contact angle and oleophilicity at 0° oil contact angle, which is known to be utilized for oil/water separation. A simple separation experiment was performed to remove oil droplets from water. The PTFE membrane exhibited good chemical stability and a high surface-area-to-volume nanofiber ratio. These excellent properties suggest that it is applicable to oil/water separation in harsh chemical environments.