Nanocomposite Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Environmental Remediation
1
Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research, Nanochemistry and Nanoengineering, Max-Planck-Str.1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
2
Nanochemistry and Nanoengineering, Institute for Materials Science, Faculty of Engineering, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kaiserstrasse 2, 24143 Kiel, Germany
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Materials 2014, 7(2), 1017-1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7021017
Received: 22 November 2013 / Revised: 14 January 2014 / Accepted: 15 January 2014 / Published: 10 February 2014
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites of Polymers and Inorganic Particles 2013)
Rapid worldwide industrialization and population growth is going to lead to an extensive environmental pollution. Therefore, so many people are currently suffering from the water shortage induced by the respective pollution, as well as poor air quality and a huge fund is wasted in the world each year due to the relevant problems. Environmental remediation necessitates implementation of novel materials and technologies, which are cost and energy efficient. Nanomaterials, with their unique chemical and physical properties, are an optimum solution. Accordingly, there is a strong motivation in seeking nano-based approaches for alleviation of environmental problems in an energy efficient, thereby, inexpensive manner. Thanks to a high porosity and surface area presenting an extraordinary permeability (thereby an energy efficiency) and selectivity, respectively, nanofibrous membranes are a desirable candidate. Their functionality and applicability is even promoted when adopting a nanocomposite strategy. In this case, specific nanofillers, such as metal oxides, carbon nanotubes, precious metals, and smart biological agents, are incorporated either during electrospinning or in the post-processing. Moreover, to meet operational requirements, e.g., to enhance mechanical stability, decrease of pressure drop, etc., nanofibrous membranes are backed by a microfibrous non-woven forming a hybrid membrane. The novel generation of nanocomposite/hybrid nanofibrous membranes can perform extraordinarily well in environmental remediation and control. This reality justifies authoring of this review paper.
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Keywords:
nanofiber; nanocomposite; nanohybrid; membrane; water filtration; air filtration
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License
MDPI and ACS Style
Homaeigohar, S.; Elbahri, M. Nanocomposite Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Environmental Remediation. Materials 2014, 7, 1017-1045. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7021017
AMA Style
Homaeigohar S, Elbahri M. Nanocomposite Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Environmental Remediation. Materials. 2014; 7(2):1017-1045. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7021017
Chicago/Turabian StyleHomaeigohar, Shahin; Elbahri, Mady. 2014. "Nanocomposite Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Environmental Remediation" Materials 7, no. 2: 1017-1045. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7021017
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