The preparation, properties and applications of electrospun co-polyamide 6, 12 membranes modified by cellulose nanocrystals. (15th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sobolčiak, Patrik; Tanvir, Aisha; Popelka, Anton; Moffat, Jonathan; Mahmoud, Khaled A.; Krupa, Igor
• Is Part Of: Materials & design. Volume 132(2017)
• Page Start: 314
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2017-10-15
• Subjects: Copolyamide -- Cellulose nanofibers -- Electrospinning -- Oil extraction; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Conception technique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2017.06.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-1275

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, we present the preparation and properties of a unique material system manufactured by electrospinning of co-polyamide 6, 12 (coPA) from an n-propanol solution. A significant advantage of this system is that n-propanol is considered a safe organic solvent. According to the literature, no polymers have been electrospun from this solvent until now. The co-polyamide nanofibers were modified using cellulose nanocrystals, which were prepared by a simple one-step method from date palm leaves. This was done to enhance their mechanical properties and increase their hydrophilicity. The addition of 1 wt% of cellulose nanocrystals improved the Young's modulus by 224% and the tensile strength of the composites by 110%. The electrospun coPA fibers showed a significantly higher hydrophobicity than spin-coated foils. The contact angle of water measured on an electrospun mat was 134°, whereas the contact angle measured on a coPA foil was 84°. Selected freestanding coPA electrospun mats were tested for their potential as membranes for vegetable and diesel oil extraction from oil/water mixtures. High sorption efficiency of up to 98% was demonstrated. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Novel materials based on copolyamide 6, 12 filled with CNC were prepared by electrospinning from n-propanol solution. The contact angle of water measured on the spun membranes is significantly higher than that measured on foil. Young's modulus increased by 224% and the tensile strength increased by 110% when filled with 1 wt% of CNC. The membranes showed good efficiency in separating oil from water.