Nanofibers for Membrane Applications

Abstract

Electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) are the next-generation materials that offer solutions to global issues in diverse applications including health, energy, and environmental applications. Polymeric nanofibers fabricated via electrospinning can be used effectively for environmental remediation due to its light weight, high surface area, and interconnected porous structure. The controlled pore size and high porosity of the ENM offer enhanced structural performance, while the high surface-to-volume ratio enriches the functional reactive sites. This chapter gives an overview of the methods of fabricating ENMs with regard to structural, surface, and functional properties for water and liquid applications. Several membrane patterns including two- or three-layered composite membranes, mixed matrix membranes, thin-film nanocomposites, and metal-organic membranes using different materials, methods, and arrangements of nanofibers have been demonstrated for different water/liquid applications, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, oil/water separation, membrane distillation, and bio-separation.