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Electrospun PCL Filtration Membranes Enhanced with an Electrosprayed Lignin Coating to Control Wettability and
Sara Bergamasco1, Noemi Fiaschini2, Luis Alexander Hein2
1Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
Polymers
|March 13, 2024
Summary
This study developed a novel filtration media using electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers coated with lignin. The lignin coating enhances filtration properties and provides antibacterial benefits, utilizing a sustainable biopolymer.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Polycaprolactone (PCL) non-woven fibers are utilized in filtration.
- Lignin, a biopolymer byproduct, offers potential for functional coatings.
- Developing novel filtration media from sustainable resources is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a two-step manufactured filtration media combining PCL electrospinning and lignin electrospraying.
- To investigate the impact of lignin coating deposition time and type on material properties.
- To evaluate the functional performance, including wettability and antibacterial activity, of the developed filtration media.
Main Methods:
- Two-step manufacturing: electrospinning PCL fibers followed by electrospraying lignin.
- Microstructural and physical characterization: SEM, surface roughness, porosity, permeability (Gurley densometer), ATR-FTIR, contact angle measurements.
- Antibacterial testing against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
Main Results:
- Lignin coating imparted amphiphilic behavior, reducing hydrophobicity and altering oil wettability.
- Coating thickness influenced oil contact angles, with an initial increase followed by a decrease.
- Lignin coatings exhibited antibacterial properties, with eucalyptus lignin (AL-EU) showing superior efficacy.
- Lignin did not significantly alter porosity but smoothed roughness and modulated air permeability.
Conclusions:
- The developed PCL-lignin filtration media offers tunable surface properties and antibacterial activity.
- Lignin electrospraying is a viable method for creating functional coatings on non-woven substrates.
- This approach highlights the potential of lignin as a sustainable material for advanced filtration and other applications.
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