Rapid visual alcohol dipstick based on transparent detection of hierarchical structured PLA/PVDF electrospun nanofibrous membrane. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, Hao; Hu, Jinlun; Dou, Yanli; Yang, Yuhang; Hou, Jiazi
• Is Part Of: Composites communications. Volume 22(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Electrospinning -- Transparent -- Hierarchical structure -- Alcohol dipstick
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coco.2020.100516
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2452-2139

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, the design of alcohol testing devise has received major attention from researchers considering the large number of traffic accidents caused by drunk driving. In this context, a simple electrospinning route has been presented to fabricate hierarchical structured PLA/PVDF nanofibrous membrane for achieving an enhanced transparent response to alcohol. The hierarchical structured PLA/PVDF membrane exhibits a synchronous combination of PVDF microspheres or nanofibers with dissolved PLA nanofibers. Thanks to the alcohol wettability, hierarchical structure, small refractive index (RI) discrepancy, and ultrathin nanofibers, the composite membrane exhibits superior transparency, exceeding 90%. Thus, this study offers a simple yet effective method to fabricate nanofibrous membranes and has a potential application as a dipstick for alcohol detection. Highlights: The hierarchical structured PLA/PVDF membrane was fabricated via electrospinning. The membrane exhibited high transmittance response to alcohol, exceeding 90%. The membrane could be used as alcohol dipstick due to the high transmittance. The formation of hierarchical structure and transmittance mechanism were explored.