A strategy for assembling the multilayer polymeric nanofibers on nonwoven fabric with controlled porosity

Abstract

Free standing layer of PA6 nanofibers was prepared using electrospinning method on the multilayered composite nonwoven fabrics for better control over the elimination of metal ions in contaminated water. Electrospun nanofiber membranes showed superior performance due to their controlled porosity, better modular design and flexibility. Recently, increasing attention has been given to hydrophilic membranes such as PA6 which resulted decreased bio and organic fouling. We have developed a strategy to generate the composite nanofibers-based membrane over polyester/leno multilayer to produce a hierarchical structure for efficient elimination of metal ions at various concentration of feed stock solution. The functionalized carbon nanotube-graphene hybrid nanofillers have been introduced in the nanofiber morphology using electrospinning to further increase the hydrophilicity and selectivity towards elimination of toxic metal ions. A series of high-resolution microscopic studies and BET analysis have been carried out to illustrate the resultant composite nanofibrous web uniformly deposited over nonwoven fabrics where the mean fiber diameter was ranging from 190-350 nm. It has been found that the flux rate critically depends upon the porosity of the hierarchical multilayer fabrics which in turn established the importance of the percentage loading of nanofibers on the membrane.