Abstract
Ultralight flexible polymers enable promising application in many fields but are often hindered by low reusability with fatigue failure, weak mechanical stability and low temperature resistance. Here, superelastic polyimide nanofiber aerogels (PNFAs) with high hydrophobicity have been prepared by utilizing the polyamic acid (PAA) nanofibers to construct a continuous and isotropic fibrous architecture. “Fiber-bonding” effect is designed to endow the PNFAs with the structure-derived superelasticity. The results demonstrate that the PNFAs possess ultralight densities (9.7–19.1 mg cm−3), excellent absorption capacity (58 times for n-hexane), broad working-temperature range, high resilience after 1000 fatigue cycles at 60% strain, and outstanding thermal insulation performance. Analysis of 50 absorption-harvesting cycle tests reveals that these highly hydrophobic PNFAs possess an ultrahigh reusability. The compressed PNFAs return to their original shape after they are distilled to recover the absorbed pollutants. These PNFAs with high absorption capacity and robust mechanical stability are promising to be applied in a variety of industrial and environmental applications.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
