Nanofiber membrane: the core material leading the future separation technology

With the continuous progress of materials science and nanotechnology, NanoFiber Membrane, as a high-performance functional material, is being widely used in many high-tech fields such as water treatment, air purification, medical filtration, energy storage, etc.

1. What is nanofiber membrane? ——Microstructure achieves macroscopic performance
Nanofiber membrane is a non-woven membrane material composed of polymer fibers with a diameter usually between tens and hundreds of nanometers. It has extremely high specific surface area, excellent porosity and adjustable pore size structure. Compared with traditional microporous membranes or hollow fiber membranes, nanofiber membranes have the following outstanding advantages:

Ultra-high filtration accuracy: Nanoscale pore structure can effectively intercept PM2.5, bacteria, viruses and other particles.

Low pressure difference and high flux coexist: The fibers are thin and arranged in an orderly manner, so that good air permeability/water permeability is maintained while maintaining high filtration efficiency.

Strong interfacial force: High surface area promotes adsorption and catalytic reactions.

Excellent flexibility and compatibility: easy to combine with other functional materials (such as activated carbon, antibacterial agents) to improve comprehensive performance.

2. How is nanofiber membrane prepared? ——Electrospinning technology is the core
At present, the most commonly used preparation method for nanofiber membrane is electrospinning technology. This technology uses a high-voltage electrostatic field to stretch the polymer solution or melt into continuous nanoscale filaments, and then deposits them to form a thin film structure. Its core advantages include:

Strong controllability of process parameters: fiber diameter, membrane thickness, and porosity can be precisely adjusted;

Wide range of applicable materials: Polymer materials such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyurethane (PU), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) can all be applied;

Easy to prepare on a large scale: At present, roll-to-roll industrial equipment has been launched.

There are also emerging technologies such as centrifugal spinning, gas-assisted spinning, and template-assisted deposition that are constantly developing, committed to improving production efficiency and the controllability of membrane structure.

3. Analysis of key application fields of nanofiber membranes
1. Water treatment field: efficient filtration and desalination tool
Due to its high porosity and adjustable pore size, nanofiber membranes are particularly suitable for use in microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF) and other fields, especially in industrial wastewater, seawater desalination and drinking water purification. Studies have shown that the efficiency of PVDF-based nanofiber membranes in oil-water separation is as high as 99%, and the flux is much higher than that of traditional membrane materials.

2. Air purification: the nemesis of PM2.5 and pathogens
The application of nanofiber membranes to air filtration equipment, such as masks, air purifiers, high-efficiency air filters (HEPA), etc., can significantly improve the interception efficiency of particulate matter, bacteria, and viruses, while maintaining low breathing resistance. In recent years, medical nanofiber masks have received widespread attention due to their super filtration performance.

3. Biomedicine: artificial skin and tissue engineering scaffolds
The high bionic structure and good cell affinity of nanofiber membranes make them a research hotspot for biomedical materials. For example, it can be used in artificial blood vessels, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug sustained-release carriers and other scenarios to effectively promote cell adhesion, growth and tissue regeneration.

4. New energy field: the innovative power of lithium battery and fuel cell membrane
The application of nanofiber membrane in the separator of lithium-ion battery can significantly improve its thermal stability and ion transfer efficiency, which helps to improve battery safety and cycle life. In fuel cells, nanofiber reinforced membrane can also improve the mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of the membrane.

Nanofiber membrane is not only a new type of filtration material, but also represents an important direction for the integration of materials engineering and nanotechnology. With the continuous maturity of its technology, the continuous enrichment of its functions and the continuous expansion of its applications, it is expected to play a more core role in many fields such as green manufacturing, biomedicine, and new energy in the future. Mastering and making good use of nanofiber membranes will be an important step in promoting industrial upgrading and achieving sustainable development.