A comparative experimental study of the hygroscopic and mechanical behaviors of electrospun nanofiber membranes and solution–cast films of polybenzimidazole

Zholobko, Oksana; Wu, Xiang‐Fa; Zhou, Zhengping; Aulich, Ted R.; Thakare, Jivan; Hurley, John P.

doi:10.1002/app.49639

A comparative experimental study of the hygroscopic and mechanical behaviors of electrospun nanofiber membranes and solution–cast films of polybenzimidazole

Journal Article · Wed Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Journal of Applied Polymer Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/app.49639· OSTI ID:2324904

^[1]; ^[2]; ^[2]; ^[3]; ^[3]; Hurley, John P. ^[3]

North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND (United States); Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy and Environmental Research Center
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND (United States)
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States)

This article reports a comparative experimental study of the hygroscopic and mechanical behaviors of electrospun polybenzimidazole (PBI) nanofiber membranes and solution-cast PBI films. As-electrospun nonwoven PBI nanofiber mats (with the nanofiber diameter of ~250 nm) were heat-pressed under controlled temperature, pressure and duration for the study; lab-made solution-cast PBI films and commercially available PBI films (the PBI Performance Product Inc., Charlotte, NC) were used as the control samples. Thermogravimetric and microtensile tests were utilized to characterize the hygroscopic (moisture absorption) and mechanical properties of the PBI nanofiber membranes at varying heat-pressing conditions, which were further compared to those of solution-cast PBI films. Experimental results indicated that the PBI nanofiber membranes carried slightly higher thermal stability and less hygroscopic properties than those of solution-cast PBI films. In addition, heat-pressing conditions significantly influenced the mechanical properties of the resulting PBI nanofiber membranes. The stiffness and tensile strength increase with increasing either the heat-pressing pressure or duration, and relevant mechanisms were explored. Here, the present study provides a rational understanding of the hygroscopic and mechanical behaviors of electrospun PBI nanofiber membranes and solution-cast PBI films that are beneficial to their reliable cutting-edge applications in high-temperature filtration, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs), etc.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy & Environmental Research Center

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008324

OSTI ID:: 2324904

Journal Information:: Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Polymer Science Journal Issue: 39 Vol. 137; ISSN 0021-8995

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Polybenzimidazole (PBI)
Polymer chemistry
continuous nanofibers
electrospinning
hygroscopic behavior
mechanical properties
moisture absorption
solution-cast films

A comparative experimental study of the hygroscopic and mechanical behaviors of electrospun nanofiber membranes and solution–cast films of polybenzimidazole

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