Thermoregulated gas transport through electrospun nanofiber membranes

Abstract

Thermoregulation of gas transport using electrospun fiber membranes is demonstrated experimentally for the first time. The fiber membranes comprise three layers: a middle layer of electrospun polystyrene sandwiched between two outer layers of electrospun cellulose acetate mat as supports, bonded together by hot pressing. The electrospun polystyrene layer serves as a phase change material that blocks transport of gases though the membrane when the fibers de-vitrify. The membrane exhibited a reduction in oxygen flux at temperatures in excess of 140 °C. Using a blend of polysulfone and polystyrene resulted in an upward shift of the transition temperature to 250 °C. Modeling of transport was performed to estimate the impact of the morphological properties of the membranes such as tortuosity, fiber diameter, and porosity.