Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
09:30
Electrospinning of Photocatalytic Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Published on: June 28, 2017
Electrospun polyimide/titanium dioxide composite nanofibrous membrane by electrospinning and electrospraying
1University of Genova, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|April 2, 2011
Summary
This study fabricated polyimide/TiO2 nanofibrous membranes using electrospinning and electrospraying. The addition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles significantly enhanced the mechanical stability of the polyimide membranes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Polyimide nanofibrous membranes are crucial for various applications.
- Enhancing the mechanical properties of these membranes is a key research objective.
- Incorporating nanoparticles offers a potential route to improve material performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate polyimide/TiO2 composite nanofibrous membranes.
- To investigate the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on membrane properties.
- To optimize the fabrication process using effective solvents.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of polyimide solutions to create nanofibrous membranes.
- Combined electrospinning and electrospraying for incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles.
- Characterization of fiber diameter, pore size, and tensile stress.
Main Results:
- Polyimide nanofibrous membranes had a fiber diameter of 229 ± 35 nm.
- Polyimide/TiO2 membranes exhibited a fiber diameter of 251 ± 37 nm.
- Ethanol proved effective for dispersing TiO2 nanoparticles.
- Pore size increased from 0.79-0.89 µm (polyimide) to 1.23 µm (polyimide/TiO2).
- Tensile stress increased from 0.36 MPa (polyimide) to 0.65 MPa (polyimide/TiO2).
Conclusions:
- The combined electrospinning and electrospraying method successfully produced polyimide/TiO2 nanofibrous membranes.
- TiO2 nanoparticle incorporation significantly improved the mechanical stability of polyimide membranes.
- The developed composite membranes show promise for applications requiring enhanced mechanical performance.
