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Submicron Structures, Electrospinning and Filters

Bhargava, Sphurti
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1175607783

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Polymer Science.
Electrospun fibers have been used in high efficiency filters for over two decades. The electrospun fibers are responsible for better performance of the filters. In this work, experiments were done in which electrospun nanofibers were exposed to a stream of oil fog. The growth rate of drops, by coalescence of oil droplets on a single fiber, was followed using optical microscopy. Different mechanisms by which the aerosol droplets can be captured include: interception, Brownian motion of droplets, inertial impaction and vapor deposition by diffusion. A quantitative model for predicting the growth rate by coalescence was developed and tested. The drop growth mechanism on a nanofiber can be attributed to both interception and Brownian diffusion mechanism in the creeping flow conditions. The relative contribution by the individual mechanisms was estimated. Merging of growing drops on the fiber was modeled and experimentally observed. The experimental merging time for drops is close to that predicted. We have discovered a novel technique of forming polymer nanostructures on various substrates, which involves vaporizing cyanoacrylate monomer. Cyanoacrylate monomer vapor was collected on a solid surface and polymerized to form nanofibers. Tiny spots of initiator on the surface of a substrate and small monomer droplets in the monomer vapor appear to be required for the growth of the polycyanoacrylate nanofibers. Morphology and size of the structures can be controlled by varying temperature, amount of monomer, amount of initiator and setup parameters. The polycyanoacrylate nanofibers create a network and increase the specific surface area significantly. Such structures can help in controlling the porosity and improving the structural stability of a filter. We have investigated the manufacturing process of yarns from electrospun nanofibers. The process involves electrospinning between two surfaces both grounded and placed at a certain distance apart. One of the collector surfaces is rotated at a particular speed to give twist to the fibers collected, thus obtaining yarn. Pulling the other collector away from the rotating collector, leads to continuous yarn manufacture. This method is useful for manufacture of composite and hollow yarn structures.
Darrell Reneker (Advisor)
98 p.
Engineering, Materials Science
Electrospinning; cyanoacrylate; structures; nanofibers; yarn; filters; coalescence

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bhargava, S. (2007). Submicron Structures, Electrospinning and Filters [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1175607783

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bhargava, Sphurti. Submicron Structures, Electrospinning and Filters. 2007. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1175607783.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bhargava, Sphurti. "Submicron Structures, Electrospinning and Filters." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1175607783

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.