Exploring the Extremes of Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Electrospun Nanofibers
Abstract
he objective of the proposed research entitled “Exploring the Extremes of Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Electrospun Nanofibers” is based on very recent work by others and us indicates that polymer fibers can have surprisingly good thermal and mechanical properties. It HIGHLY depends on manufacturing processes. The realization of the extremes of mechanical and thermal properties of electrospun polymeric nanofibers will lead unprecedented technical breakthrough and bring significant impact to Army, DOD and societal applications. Polymer and its composites have already being used in literally everywhere. Perhaps, it is the Thermal, Mechanical and Electrical properties are the bottlenecks limited their crucial and critical applications, especially in Defense. The main aim of the proposal is to take relatively simple approach to identify the correlating among the manufacturing process conditions, the corresponding structures, and mechanical and thermal properties of electrospun polymer nanofibers. It is expected that electrospun nanofibers typically exhibit significant molecular orientation, which may dramatically alter their mechanical and thermal properties. However, recent studies of polymeric systems of high molecular orientations suggest that astonishingly high values of Young’s modulus and thermal conductivity are possible. Our preliminary results also indicate drastic increase in thermal and mechanical properties. However, to date no comprehensive studies have been carried out to establish detailed relations between the manufacturing conditions, microstructure, and properties of electrospun nanofibers. In view of this, we propose to conduct systematic research through rational control of the electrospinning process, thorough microstructural characterization, mechanical and thermal property measurements, and theoretical analysis to achieve in-depth understanding of electrospun polymeric nanofibers. The experiments will be performed with individual polymer nanofibers to eliminate uncertainties from averaging (as in more traditional approaches that characterize ensembles of polymer nanofibers, often in the form of nanofibrous mats). Based on the obtained manufacturing-structure-property relations, we will tune the fabrication process to achieve the most favorable conditions for extremes of mechanical and thermal properties, which can find tremendous applications in Army-related applications. Therefore, we propose to answer the following important questions: 1) How do processing factors such as the electrospinning parameters (including the voltage, tipcollector distance, and temperature) and the electrospinning solution material properties (including the polymer composition and molecular weight, concentration, and solvent) affect the resulting nanofiber microstructure? 2) What is the relationship between the microstructure and the mechanical and thermal properties of electrospun nanofibers? 3) What are the extremes of the mechanical and thermal properties of the electrospun nanofibers? Are they thermal stable and long lasting? Can nanofillers improve the properties and become multifunctional?
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 17, 2016
- Source ID
- W911NF1510441
Entities
People
- Warren Collins
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Fisk University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense