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Sanchaniya JV, Lasenko I, Vijayan V, Smogor H, Gobins V, Kobeissi A, Goljandin D. A Novel Method to Enhance the Mechanical Properties of Polyacrylonitrile Nanofiber Mats: An Experimental and Numerical Investigation. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:992. [PMID: 38611250 PMCID: PMC11013617 DOI: 10.3390/polym16070992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
This study addresses the challenge of enhancing the transverse mechanical properties of oriented polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, which are known for their excellent longitudinal tensile strength, without significantly compromising their inherent porosity, which is essential for effective filtration. This study explores the effects of doping PAN nanofiber composites with varying concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (0.5%, 1%, and 2%), introduced into the PAN matrix via a dip-coating method. This approach ensured a random distribution of PVA within the nanofiber mat, aiming to leverage the synergistic interactions between PAN fibers and PVA to improve the composite's overall performance. This synergy is primarily manifested in the structural and functional augmentation of the PAN nanofiber mats through localized PVA agglomerations, thin films between fibers, and coatings on the fibers themselves. Comprehensive evaluation techniques were employed, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological insights; transverse and longitudinal mechanical testing; a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal stability; and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for thermal behavior analyses. Additionally, a finite element method (FEM) analysis was conducted on a numerical simulation of the composite. Using our novel method, the results demonstrated that a minimal concentration of the PVA solution effectively preserved the porosity of the PAN matrix while significantly enhancing its mechanical strength. Moreover, the numerical simulations showed strong agreement with the experimental results, validating the effectiveness of PVA doping in enhancing the mechanical properties of PAN nanofiber mats without sacrificing their functional porosity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaymin Vrajlal Sanchaniya
- Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Riga Technical University, 6B Kipsala Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia; (I.L.)
| | - Inga Lasenko
- Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Riga Technical University, 6B Kipsala Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia; (I.L.)
| | - Vishnu Vijayan
- Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Riga Technical University, 6B Kipsala Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia; (I.L.)
| | - Hilary Smogor
- NETZSCH Instrumenty, Halicka 9, 31-036 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Valters Gobins
- Laboratory of Environmental Genetics, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Latvian University, Jelgavas Street 1, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Alaa Kobeissi
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Roberval (Mechanics, Energy and Electricity), Centre de Recherche Royallieu—CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France;
| | - Dmitri Goljandin
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia;
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Sanchaniya JV, Lasenko I, Kanukuntala SP, Smogor H, Viluma-Gudmona A, Krasnikovs A, Tipans I, Gobins V. Mechanical and Thermal Characterization of Annealed Oriented PAN Nanofibers. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3287. [PMID: 37571181 PMCID: PMC10422648 DOI: 10.3390/polym15153287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers have extensive applications as filters in various fields, including air and water filtration, biofluid purification, and the removal of toxic compounds and hazardous pollutants from contaminated water. This research focuses on investigating the impacts of annealing on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of oriented PAN nanofibers produced through the electrospinning of a PAN solution. The nanofiber mats were subjected to annealing temperatures ranging from 70 °C to 350 °C and characterized using a tensile test machine, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study aimed to examine the tensile strength in the transverse and longitudinal directions, Young's modulus, and glass transition temperatures of PAN nanofiber mats. The results indicate that, upon annealing, the diameter of the nanofibers decreased by approximately 20%, while the tensile strength increased in the longitudinal and transverse directions by 32% and 23%, respectively. Furthermore, the annealing temperature influenced the glass transition temperature of the nanofiber mats, which exhibited a 6% decrease at 280 °C, while the degradation temperature showed a slight increase of 3.5% at 280 °C. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the effects of annealing on PAN nanofiber mats, facilitating their potential for various filtration applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaymin Vrajlal Sanchaniya
- Mechanics and Biotextile Research Laboratory, Riga Technical University, 3/3-20 Pulka Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (I.L.)
- Department of Theoretical Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Riga Technical University, 6B Kipsala Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Inga Lasenko
- Mechanics and Biotextile Research Laboratory, Riga Technical University, 3/3-20 Pulka Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (I.L.)
| | - Sai Pavan Kanukuntala
- Mechanics and Biotextile Research Laboratory, Riga Technical University, 3/3-20 Pulka Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (I.L.)
- Department of Theoretical Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Riga Technical University, 6B Kipsala Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Hilary Smogor
- NETZSCH Instrumenty, Halicka 9, 31-036 Krakow, Poland
| | - Arta Viluma-Gudmona
- Mechanics and Biotextile Research Laboratory, Riga Technical University, 3/3-20 Pulka Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (I.L.)
| | - Andrejs Krasnikovs
- Department of Theoretical Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Riga Technical University, 6B Kipsala Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Igors Tipans
- Department of Theoretical Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Riga Technical University, 6B Kipsala Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Valters Gobins
- Laboratory of Environmental Genetics, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Latvian University, Jelgavas Street 1, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
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