Characterization of microporous PP/PE nonwoven mats surface modified by deposition of electrospun nanofibers

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of surface modification by deposition of electrospun fibers on properties and performance of three different microporous polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) commercial nonwoven membrane supports (Novatexx 2430, 2465 and 2473). Polyamide (nylon 6) nanofiber webs with a small number of defects and fibers of about 100 nanometer diameter were successfully deposited onto a surface of the selected membrane supports. FESEM was used to examine microstructure and morphology of the unmodified substrates and the prepared composite two-layer membranes. DSC was applied to investigate thermal stability and FT-IR analysis to confirm the chemical composition of the studied membranes. Saline water permeability tests of the prepared two-layer composite membranes were carried out. The largest pressure difference was measured for PA nanofiber/Novatexx 2430 sample, which was ascribed to a denser net structure of the membrane support and possibly to the newly formed layer of dissolved salts on the membrane surface.