Nanofibrous Membranes Research Articles

High-Performance and Durable Window-Type Air Filter Based on Embedded PVDF-TrFE Nanofibrous Membrane.

Fine inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5) is a harmful airborne pollutant, with serious repercussions to public health worldwide. To prevent the influx of PM2.5 into the indoor living and working space, we conceived the design of a "filtration window" that exhibits efficient PM2.5 filtration capabilities while having sufficient transparency and physical durability. In this work, we demonstrate the successful fabrication of a transparent (∼80%) PM2.5 filter based on nanofibrous poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE), which captures PM2.5 by electrostatic mechanisms originating from the ferroelectric property of the copolymer. The embedded PVDF-TrFE-based nanofibrous filter exhibits a notable PM2.5 removal efficiency of 93%, which is on par with those of medical-grade face masks. Simultaneously, owing to its dense packing, the PVDF-TrFE nanofibrous filter is highly durable, allowing it to be cleaned with water for reuse, and withstands its structural integrity even under a wind flow of 15 m/s, altogether making it practically viable as a functional window unit.

Tailored Nanofibrous Polyimide-Based Membranes for Highly Effective Oil Spill Cleanup in Marine Ecosystems

Oil spills pose significant environmental threats to marine ecosystems and indirectly affect human health. They are often caused by tanker accidents and pipeline leaks. The persistence of hydrocarbons in the marine environment and their long-term ecological impacts necessitate efficient remediation strategies. Nanofibrous membranes made from polyimides with varying hydrophobicity present a promising solution for oil spill cleanup and oil/water separation. In this study, electrospun nanofibrous membranes were fabricated using 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) combined with 3,5-diamino-2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonic acid (TrMSA) and 2,3,5,6- tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) to produce bead-free nanofibers at optimized concentrations. These membranes exhibited hydrophobic characteristics and high oil absorption capabilities. The 6FDA-TMPD membrane achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 76.50 ± 7.32 g g-1 for Varinca crude oil, while the 6FDA-TrMSA membrane reached 80.05 ± 6.60 g g-1. In comparison, the commercial 3M™ oil sorbent had a significantly lower capacity of 29.4 ± 3.8 g g-1 for the same oil. The nanofibrous membranes also demonstrated superior performance in adsorbing gasoline and diesel and maintained their effectiveness across multiple cycles, highlighting their potential to mitigate the environmental impact of oil spills.

Development and characterization of solriamfetol-loaded PVA/PLGA electrospun nanofiber membranes: A promising approach for sustained narcolepsy treatment

Narcolepsy presents challenges in medication adherence and delivery, with traditional oral medications not always suitable for patients experiencing unexpected sleep episodes or difficulty in swallowing pills. This study focused on developing a solriamfetol (SF) loaded nanofiber membrane using a polymer blend of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) for the management of narcoleptic patients with non-oral dosage options. The design required synthesis, optimization, characterization, and evaluation of these nanofibers for transdermal drug delivery. Using a Box-Behnken design, the nanofibers were produced via the electrospinning technique, achieving a high drug content of 96.31 ± 1.21 % and entrapment efficiency of 96.18 ± 1.42 %. The in vitro drug release studies demonstrated a prolonged release profile of SF over 24 h, with 97 % ± 2 % of the drug released. The SEM analysis revealed that the surface morphology of the nanofibers was smooth and homogenous, and the average diameter of the SF/PVA/PLGA nanofibers was found to be 150.23 ± 2.50 nm. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the amorphous structure of the nanofibers. The zebrafish embryonic toxicological study did not reveal any signs of toxicity or morphological abnormalities in the developing embryos, indicating that the nanofibers are safe. The results point to the applicability of SF nanofiber membranes in personalized narcolepsy therapy, which improves patients’ quality of life and the efficacy of their treatment. These nanofibers can be given in the form of a transdermal patch to patients for sustained drug delivery, even when they fall asleep or when they cannot take medicines orally.

High Methylene Blue Adsorption Efficiency of Cellulose Acetate-Based Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes Modified with Graphene Oxide and Zeolite

High Methylene Blue Adsorption Efficiency of Cellulose Acetate-Based Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes Modified with Graphene Oxide and Zeolite

Electrospun nanofibers membranes of La(OH)3/PAN as a versatile adsorbent for fluoride remediation: Performance and mechanisms

Abstract Excessive existence of fluoride in water resources can lead to harmful impacts on ecosystems and organisms. Electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membranes loaded with La(OH)3 nanorods composites (La(OH)3/PAN electrospun nanofiber membranes [ENFMs]) are fabricated and used as an efficient fluoride scavenger. Adsorbent fabricate protocols, pH, initial F− concentration, adsorbent dosage, and adsorption time, in addition to coexisting anions, were systematically evaluated. The investigation unveils that a pH of 3.0 is optimal for F− remediation. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm of La(OH)3/PAN ENFMs are well described by the pseudo-second-order model (R 2 > 0.997) with characteristics of chemisorption and Langmuir isotherm (R 2 > 0.999) with the feature of single-layer coverage. The existence of Cl−, SO4 2−, NO3 −, and CO3 2− does not significantly hinder fluoride removal by La(OH)3/PAN ENFMs with the exception of PO4 3−. Calculations of ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS reveal that the nature of F− adsorption onto La(OH)3/PAN ENFMs is endothermic and favorable at a higher temperature.

Bioactive MgO/MgCO3/Polycaprolactone Multi-gradient Fibers Facilitate Peripheral Nerve Regeneration by Regulating Schwann Cell Function and Activating Wingless/Integrase-1 Signaling

AbstractPeripheral nerve defects present complex orthopedic challenges with limited efficacy of clinical interventions. The inadequate proliferation and dysfunction of Schwann cells within the nerve scaffold impede the effectiveness of nerve repair. Our previous studies suggested the effectiveness of a magnesium-encapsulated bioactive hydrogel in repairing nerve defects. However, its rapid release of magnesium ions limited its efficacy to long-term nerve regeneration, and its molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study utilized electrospinning technology to fabricate a MgO/MgCO3/polycaprolactone (PCL) multi-gradient nanofiber membrane for peripheral nerve regeneration. Our findings indicated that by carefully adjusting the concentration or proportion of rapidly degradable MgO and slowly degradable MgCO3, as well as the number of electrospun layers, the multi-gradient scaffold effectively sustained the release of Mg2+ over a period of 6 weeks. Additionally, this study provided insight into the mechanism of Mg2+-induced nerve regeneration and confirmed that Mg2+ effectively promoted Schwann cell proliferation, migration, and transition to a repair phenotype. By employing transcriptome sequencing technology, the study identified the Wingless/integrase-1 (Wnt) signaling pathway as a crucial mechanism influencing Schwann cell function during nerve regeneration. After implantation in 10 mm critically sized nerve defects in rats, the MgO/MgCO3/PCL multi-gradient nanofiber combined with a 3D-engineered PCL nerve conduit showed enhanced axonal regeneration, remyelination, and reinnervation of muscle tissue 12 weeks post-surgery. In conclusion, this study successfully developed an innovative multi-gradient long-acting MgO/MgCO3/PCL nanofiber with a tunable Mg2+ release property, which underscored the molecular mechanism of magnesium-encapsulated biomaterials in treating nervous system diseases and established a robust theoretical foundation for future clinical translation. Graphical abstract

Polyamide 6-Al2O3 nanoparticle composite nanofiber membranes with high solar reflectivity and human radiation transmittance for passive human body cooling

Passive radiant heat management is an energy-saving thermal radiation management technology that can improve the temperature regulation of conventional clothing in high-temperature environments. However, existing materials are either complex in structure, difficult to fabricate, or unsuitable for human application. In this study, a novel nanofiber membrane was developed that exhibits high solar reflectance and infrared transparency to human radiation, thus having an excellent radiative cooling effect. The nanofiber membrane was prepared by electrospinning polyamide (PA) 6 containing Al2O3 nanoparticles. It exhibits an average solar radiation reflectance of about 88 %, a maximum reflectance of more than 95 %, and transmittance to the human body infrared of more than 95 % and provides a cooling effect of 4–6.4 °C for outdoor objects (with convection), which results from the coaction of PA6 nanofibers and Al2O3 nanoparticles. The implementation of nanofiber membranes in clothing could not only protect wearers from high outdoor temperatures but also improve air and moisture permeability. We hope that this unique nanofiber membrane will be useful for managing thermal comfort and energy efficiency in various applications ranging from architectural materials to personal cooling solutions.

Transparent and Mechanically Robust Janus Nanofiber Membranes for Open Wound Healing and Monitoring.

The electrospun nanofiber membrane has demonstrated great potential for wound management due to its porous structure, large surface area, mechanical strength, and barrier properties. However, there is a need to develop transparent bioactive nanofibers with strong mechanical properties to facilitate the monitoring of the healing process. In this study, we present an electrospinning-based method for creating transparent (∼80-90%), strong (∼11-13 MPa), and Janus nanofiber membranes. The innovative square pattern architecture of the membrane includes a thin hydrophobic polycaprolactone layer on top of a layer of hydrophilic ethylene-vinyl alcohol nanofiber, which enables the absorption of excess biofluid from the wound and exhibits Janus wettability for water. Furthermore, incorporating 5% chitosan into the composition of the nanofibers accelerates the healing process through its antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, including drug-resistant strains. The developed membrane also demonstrates skin-repairing function, quick blood clotting (around 145 ± 12 s), and biocompatibility with keratinocyte (≥90%), as well as in vitro quick cell migration (∼24 h). With a tensile strength of 11-13 MPa, the membrane effectively adheres to the knee joint even after running 4 km. These optimal properties of the electrospun nanofiber membrane make it suitable for effective wound management and inspection of the healing process, without the need for frequent dressing changes.

Electrospun lignin-loaded artificial periosteum for bone regeneration and elimination of bacteria

Recently, the non-negligible role of the periosteum in bone repair has attracted the attention of researchers. In this study, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/lignin nano-fibrous membranes prepared by electrospinning are proposed as an artificial periosteum. Both in vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that PCL/lignin membranes have a pro-osteogenic effect. This effect was dependent on the lignin concentration, and there was an optimal concentration at which the membrane possessed the highest osteogenesis-potentiating activity among those tested in this study. In addition, the PCL/lignin membranes exhibited promising antibacterial properties against both E. coli and S. aureus, with high lignin concentrations corresponding to high-bactericidal activity. The prepared PCL/lignin membranes displayed promising osteogenic and antibacterial properties. With satisfactory hydrophilicity and mechanical properties, they hold great potential in serving as an artificial periosteum for bone tissue repair. This study provides both theoretical and laboratory evidence for the application of the renewable resource lignin in the repair of the periosteum and bone injuries.

Electrospun Membranes of Hydrophobic Polyimide and NH2‐UiO‐66 Nanocomposite for Desalination

Hydrophobic nanofiber composite membranes comprising polyimide and metal–organic frameworks are developed for desalination via direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). Our study demonstrates the synthesis of hydrophobic polyimides with trifluoromethyl groups, along with superhydrophobic UiO‐66 (hMOF) prepared by phenylsilane modification on the metal‐oxo nodes. These components are then combined to create nanofiber membranes with improved hydrophobicity, ensuring long‐term stability while preserving a high water flux. Integration of hMOF into the polymer matrix further increases membrane hydrophobic properties and provides additional pathways for vapor transport during MD. The resulting nanofiber composite membranes containing 20 wt% of hMOFs (PI‐1‐hMOF‐20) were able to desalinate hypersaline feed solution of up to 17 wt% NaCl solution, conditions that are beyond the capability of reverse osmosis systems. These membranes demonstrated a water flux of 68.1 kg m−2 h−1 with a rejection rate of 99.98% for a simulated seawater solution of 3.5 wt% NaCl at 70 °C, while maintaining consistent desalination performance for 250 h.

Composite of Hydrolyzed PAN and β-Cyclodextrin Forms a Nanofiber Membrane with an Excellent Removal Effect on Various Cationic Dyes and Copper Ions.

The presence of dyes and heavy metals in wastewater represents a significant environmental and public health hazard, necessitating the development of efficient materials for their removal. In this study, we modified hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (PAN-H) and combined it with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) by using an electrostatic spinning technique to fabricate composite nanofibrous membranes for water treatment applications. The resulting PAN-H/β-CD nanofiber membranes exhibit spindle-shaped fibers and porous structures with a high density of charged functional groups, which significantly enhance their selective adsorption capacity compared to pure PAN fibers. Furthermore, post-treatment with a sodium bicarbonate solution further improved this capacity, resulting in the membranes demonstrating a remarkable adsorption efficiency for cationic dyes. The adsorption process conformed to the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, with maximum adsorption capacities of 216.94 mg/g for methylene blue (MB), 471.59 mg/g for malachite green (MG), 299 mg/g for crystal violet (CV), and 43.95 mg/g for copper ions. The selective adsorption of these positively charged contaminants, particularly cationic dyes and metallic copper, indicates that PAN-H/β-CD membranes have significant potential for the treatment of wastewater containing similar pollutants.

Baicalin nanofiber membranes: A comprehensive study on preparation, characterization, and antimicrobial pharmacological activities

Baicalin is a natural active ingredient known for its medicinal properties and a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer effects. However, its application is hindered by its poor water-solubility. In this study, we aimed to enhance the water solubility of baicalin by embedding it within the hydrophobic cavity of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin through supramolecular assembly to form inclusion complexes. The inclusion complexes were subsequently processed into nanofiber membranes suitable for application on skin and wounds using coaxial electrostatic spinning. The inclusion complexes and nanofiber membranes were analyzed and characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The combined results from XRD, FT-IR, and TGA confirmed that baicalin successfully formed inclusion complexes with cyclodextrin, resulting in an increase in water solubility from 0.0170 mg/mL to 8.9600 mg/mL, representing a 527-fold enhancement. Additionally, the inclusion complexes demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans, as well as higher free radical scavenging rates compared to native baicalin. After the inclusion complexes were transformed into nanofiber membranes via coaxial electrospinning, their properties remained unchanged, and they continued to exhibit excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. In the in vitro release assay, nearly 90% of the drug (baicalin) was released from the nanofiber membranes over a period of time, indicating sustained release. Furthermore, the molecular docking mechanism of baicalin and cyclodextrin was elucidated through molecular docking simulations, establishing a theoretical foundation for the synthesis of inclusion complexes in the computational studies. This study reports the successful fabrication of water-soluble, antimicrobial nanofiber membranes containing bioavailable baicalin, which have potential clinical applications in the development of wound dressings and drug delivery systems utilizing plant-extracted bioactive compounds.

Facile electrospinning-electrospray method to fabricate flexible rice straw-derived cellulose acetate/TiO2 nanofibrous membrane with excellent photocatalytic performance

A novel and facile electrospinning-electrospray (EE) method that based on electrospinning technique and simultaneous electrospray was proposed to anchor TiO2 (P25) nanoparticles on the surface of rice straw-derived cellulose acetate (CA) nanofiber, a series of EE-CA/P25 nanofibrous membranes with different P25 dosage were successfully fabricated, which were characterized in terms of SEM, TEM, FI-IR, XRD, DRS, PL, UV–vis and 3D-EMMs, etc. Results confirmed that P25 nanoparticles were anchored on the surface of CA nanofiber. For different organic dyes of Methylene blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RhB) and Methyl orange (MO), EE-CA/P25(0.05) nanofibrous membrane toward MB dye showed the best photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 99.13 % after 30 min of light exposure. For the different antibiotics of Tetracycline (TC), Ciprofloxacin (CIP) and Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), EE-CA/P25(0.05) exhibited the best photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 83.59 % for TC after 30 min of light exposure. Moreover, EE-CA/P25(0.05) exhibited a good antimicrobial efficiency of 98.42 % for E. coli, and maintained 97.49 % after 5 cycles. The reactive radical trapping experiments revealed that h+, •O2−, and •OH participated in the reaction, and h+ and •O2− played a major role in the photocatalytic degradation process. Moreover, EE-CA/P25(0.05) flexible membrane was easy to recycle and transform rice straw waste into treasure.

Electrospun hydrophilic PAN/CO/TA composite nanofibrous membrane for adsorbing Cu(II) in water

In this paper, a novel polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/collagen (CO)/tannic acid (TA) composite nanofiber membrane for the adsorption of Cu(II) in water was prepared. The nanofibrous membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric (TG), and water contact angle (WCA) techniques, and their adsorption performance on Cu(II) in water was tested. The results showed that incorporating CO improved the hydrophilic performance of the membranes, and the contact angle of PAN/CO decreased from 60.57° to 39.16° with the increase of CO content, which exhibited good hydrophilicity. Moreover, CO effectively crosslinked TA, so that TA was well fixed on the surface of the fiber membrane, and the resulting PAN/CO/TA composite nanofiber membrane had good fiber morphology, uniform fiber diameter distribution, with an average diameter of 292.22 nm, and good adsorption performance for Cu(II), up to 133.26 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics fitting showed that the adsorption mechanism was mainly electrostatic adsorption and chelation of Cu(II) by phenoxy anion. PAN/CO/TA and PAN/CO/TA/Cu nanofiber membranes showed bacteriostatic effects on E. coli and S. aureus, with PAN/CO/TA/Cu nanofiber membranes being particularly effective, with the average inhibition bands for E. coli and S. aureus being 7.50 mm and 10.05 mm, respectively. The distribution of the electric field during the spinning process was also simulated by finite element analysis in this study. Since TA is a natural polymer of plant origin and CO is of animal origin, it provides an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method to remove Cu(II) from water.

Application of biogenic silver nanoparticle incorporated nanofibers in biomedical science

The applications of nanotechnology are expanding into medical science for designing new medical devices related products. These products can deliver targeted therapies to diseases such as cancer and peripheral artery treatment. Therefore, with the goal to treat peripheral artery disease, we integrated biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL) nanofibrous (NFs). The AgNPs-NFs mats were successfully fabricated using a blended electrospinning process. AgNPs with average sizes of 35–55 nm were produced and characterized using multiple techniques such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, TEM, SEM and FTIR. Nanofibrous membranes containing 1 %, 2 %, and 3 % AgNPs by weight were developed, showing a reduction in fiber diameter from 473 nm to 179 nm due to the introduction of charged particles. The scaffold’s suitability and drug release profile were critically analyzed, revealing results consistent with optimal biomedical applications. Preliminary studies indicated that AgNPs dose-dependent inhibition of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) may potentially help prevent atherosclerosis. These findings underscore the potential of AgNPs integrated PEG-PCL NFs mats for advanced biomedical applications.

On the Effect of Fibre Orientation and MWCNTs on the Strain‐Sensing Performance of TPU/PANI Electrospun Nanofibres

ABSTRACTThe increasing demand for flexible electromechanical devices with superior stretchability, durability, thermal stability and sensitivity has driven the development of new smart functional materials to replace conventional semiconductors. This study utilises combining electrospinning and in situ polymerisation to fabricate four types of thermoplastic polyurethane/polyaniline (TPU/PANI) nanofibrous membranes with varied fibre orientation and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) incorporation. The combined effects of material composition and fibre alignment on strain‐sensing performance were systematically explored. All membranes exhibited stable, symmetric ohmic behaviour under strain, with current decreasing as strain increased. Remarkable repeatability and stability were observed in cyclic current–time tests. MWCNTs addition significantly enhanced conductivity, with aligned fibres further boosting performance. Gauge factor (GF) measurements revealed that aligned TPU/PANI mats had GFs of 7 (0%–18% strain) and 14.3 (18%–40%), while aligned TPU/MWCNTs/PANI mats had GFs of 5.2 (0%–13%) and 7.3 (13%–40%). Random TPU/PANI mats showed GFs of 13.9 (0%–11%) and 23.3 (11%–40%) and random TPU/MWCNTs/PANI mats had GFs of 13.9 (0%–19%) and 24.7 (19%–40%). Each configuration demonstrated suitability for specific applications, with random TPU/MWCNT/PANI mats exhibiting the best overall performance. This research provides critical insights into optimising flexible strain sensors by tuning both material composition and fibre orientation.

Natural filter: Adjustable hydrophobicity from biodegradable zein nanofiber membrane for high efficiency air purification

Faced with the fact that air filtration materials prepared from traditional petroleum-based materials do not have good biodegradability and have the risk of causing secondary pollution to the environment, a kind of nanofiber membrane with biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and zein was prepared by electrospinning method. The morphology of as-prepared membrane was carried out along with filtration performance and degradation performance both experimentally and theoretically. The results showed that the hydrophobicity of nanofiber membrane can be adjusted by changing the ratio of PLA and zein. In addition, the highest filtration efficiency for PM2.5 and PM10 was achieved when the ratio of PLA to zein was 1:1, and it could be stabilized at 98.14 % and 97.39 %, and had the highest quality factor (QF) of 0.00738 Pa−1. Moreover, the fiber membrane has excellent adsorption effect on aqueous particles as well as oily particles. Notably, the as-prepared composite filter can be easily biodegraded thus contributing to green ecological environment.

Fluorine polyimide nanofibrous composites with outstanding piezoelectric property for human motion monitoring

The limited high-temperature resistance of conventional piezoelectric polymers remains an extremely arduous obstacle to fabricate a flexible sensor that meets the practical application in extreme environments. In this paper, the fluorine-containing polyimide (FPI) nanofiber membrane was prepared by electrospinning and further encapsulated with FPI resin into a flexible and wearable piezoelectric sensor. The influence of fluorine-containing monomer content on the mechanical properties, heat resistance, and piezoelectric properties of FPI nanofiber composite membranes was systematically investigated. The fabricated samples show outstanding thermal stability with Tg of 247℃-262℃ and Td5% of 570℃. The composite also displays a low dielectric constant (2.25–3.5) and dielectric loss (0.004–0.01), respectively. It is particularly noteworthy that the prepared fluorine-containing PI nanofiber membrane exhibits excellent piezoelectric properties. The output voltage of CPI-100 can reach up to 7 V with fast response / recovery time (16 ms / 7 ms) and exceptional durability (10,000 cycles). Moreover, the prepared CPI nanofiber composite membrane sensor can effectively detect bending and pressuresignals, which can be applied to motion and pressure monitoring. We found a new kind of substrate with outstanding piezoelectric and provided a novel strategy for developing high-temperature resistant flexible self-powered piezoelectric sensors in wearable electronics.

Interfacial lignin glued cellulose/aramid nanofiber membranes: Combing toughness, stability, and dye rejection performances

Nanoscale cellulose-based membranes have been considered as perfect candidates for organic dye separation attributed to their sustainability, high aspect ratio, and nanoscale designation. However, as natural polysaccharide, nanocellulose still suffers from drawbacks like brittleness and vulnerability. In this work, the tough and stable lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNFs) based composite membranes were fabricated by introducing lignin modified aramid nanofibers (DANFs) as reinforcing agents. Being benefit from the interfacial lignin bridging effects, the noncovalent interactions (e.g., H-bond and π-π stacking) between LCNFs and DANFs strengthened, and the resultant composite membranes presented enhanced tensile strength (∼186.9 MPa, 6.3 time higher than LCNFs membranes), toughness (∼9.28 MJ/m3, 105 time higher than LCNFs membranes), Young’s modulus (∼8.43 GPa, 4.6 time higher than LCNFs membranes), as well as the optimized stabilities (in organic, acidic and alkali conditions). Combing all these advantages, the composite membranes demonstrated promising dye rejection performances toward methyl violet (a reject rate of ∼98.54 % and a flux of ∼29.76 L•m−2•h−1•bar−1), and can removal 63.08 % of methyl violet after 10 recycles. Thus, this research paves a simple and efficient way to made strong LCNFs-based separation membranes that are suitable as dye separator in harsh environments.

Silica nanofiber membrane with high reflectivity and low absorptivity for high-energy laser protection (29.0 kW/cm2)

To safeguard against high-energy continuous wave laser, the chosen strategy is a robust reflection to restrict heat generation instead of thermal protection. Based on this, the SiO2 nanofiber membranes (0.12 g/cm3) with nearly 100% reflectivity and an extremely low absorption coefficient, were fabricated by electrospinning under the optimal parameters and calcinating at 600-1000 °C. The membranes, with a thickness of 4 mm, exhibit the best laser protection property reported to date. Under laser irradiation of 29.0 kW/cm2, they remain intact and achieve a steady state after 10 s with a rear temperature of only 700 °C because the necessary conditions for excellent laser protection property—the absence of highly absorbing groups, moderate fiber stacking density, presence of fiber stacking structure, chemical inertness, and specific thickness—are all met. In addition, excellent mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 16.6 MPa (normalized value through equivalent solid materials for comparison purposes), a compressive strength of 0.07 MPa, and good bending performance, provide guarantees for their practical applications.