Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane: Charge Characteristics and Their Impact on Air Filtration Performance, Antibacterial Property, and Triboelectric Output


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Date

2025-12-31

Publication Type

Journal Article

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yes

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Abstract

Electrospun nanofiber membrane have been widely used in the field of air filtration, antibacterial applications, and energy harvesting. Their performance is largely dependent on the charge properties. In this study, the charge characteristics of electrospun nanofibers composed of different polymers were investigated. The influence of charge characteristics on various applications of electrospun nanofiber membranes was also analysed. The charge level of newly produced electrospun nanofibers resulted from the balance between charge generation and charge decay during the electrospinning process. The difference in charge levels among the four polymers studied was primarily governed by the initial charge density of the electrospinning jet, which was in turn determined by the electron-withdrawing capacity of their functional groups. Multiple charge distribution patterns in electrospun nanofibers were observed via atomic force microscopy, including surface charge distribution, internal charge distribution, charge accumulation at bead structures, and locally concentrated charge at nanofiber cross-points. In specific applications, surface charges enhanced the filtration efficiency of nanofiber filters, while volume charges improved the resistance to charge decay. Positively electrospun nanofiber membranes exhibited antibacterial effects, with the efficacy increasing proportionally to charge density. The electrospinning voltage polarity could regulate molecular orientation on nanofiber surfaces, which was a strategy applicable for boosting the output efficiency of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). A negatively electrospun polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanofiber membrane-based TENG achieved a maximum output voltage of 12 V, compared to 10 V from its positively electrospun counterpart. This study presents a perspective for designing functional electrospun nanofiber materials based on charge characteristics. 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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published

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Volume

379

Pages / Article No.

135085

Publisher

Elsevier

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Subject

Electrospun nanofiber; Charge characteristics; Air filtration; Antibacterial; Triboelectric

Organisational unit

03887 - Wang, Jing / Wang, Jing check_circle

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