Electrospinning fabrication and performance evaluation of polyacrylonitrile nanofiber for air filter applications

Abstract

Nano materials possess unique mechanical, physical, and chemical properties. They are small, and have an ultrahigh surface area, making them suitable for air filter applications since air filtration is necessary to protect sensitive components from harmful particulates and gaseous contaminants. The electrospinning method has been recognized as an efficient technique for fabricating polymer nanofibers. In order to determine the optimum manufacturing conditions, the effects of several electrospinning process parameters on the diameter, orientation, and distribution of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber are analyzed. To improve interlaminar fracture toughness and suppress the delamination in the form of laminated non-woven fibers by using a heat roller, the performances of filter efficiency and pressure drop achieved with the PAN nanofiber air filter are evaluated experimentally.