Electrospining Machine: Micronano channel fiber construction and its super nanofluidic ionic conductivity

On Apri 12, 2024, Team led by Associate Professor Xinliang Liu from Guangxi University published a new research paper in Cellulose Journal (impact factor: 7.6), " Micronano channel fiber construction and its super nanofluidic ionic conductivity ". Important progress has been made in nanochannels and ion fibers.

Method

The researchers proposed and developed a high-strength and high-conductivity Electrospun Nanofbers by using unmodified cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as raw materials and using the self-twisting microfluidic spinning method to change the distribution of oriented cellulose nanocrystals in the microfluidic system, thereby adjusting the micro-nano channel structure and improving the ion transport performance of theElectrospun Nanofbers. At the same time, the authors used the self-twisting microfluidic spinning method to cause the highly aligned cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to expose the negative charge generated by the surface hydroxyl groups, which enabled the nanochannels to selectively transport K+ ions and prevent the movement of Cl− ions. Therefore, micro-nano channels can be formed between the fibers to enhance the ion transport performance and have good ion conductivity.

Research innovation

Innovative ion Electrospun Nanofbers ion transmission mode:

By designing microfluidic chips and microfluidic electrospinning device, the staggered structure formed by the sheath and core channels of the microfluidic spinning device promotes the twisting and stretching of the Electrospun Nanofbers, thereby increasing the contact between the Electrospun Nanofbers, increasing the mechanical properties and spinnability of the Electrospun Nanofbers, and changing the distribution of oriented cellulose nanocrystals in the microfluidic system, thereby adjusting the micro-nano channel structure and improving the ion transmission performance of the Electrospun Nanofbers.

Stable CNC suspension increases contact and bonding between CNCs:

In microfluidic devices, the sheath laminar flow velocity is usually faster than the core laminar flow, and this speed difference causes shear and acceleration of the core laminar flow containing the Electrospun Nanofbers, which enhances the neat alignment of the CNC fibers and enables the CNCs to self-assemble into a well-packed state. Finally, with the reduction of electrostatic repulsion and Brownian motion, the neatly aligned structure is frozen into a gel, thereby achieving the preparation of CNC fiber filaments with neatly aligned dense structures through microfluidic electrospinning.

Superior ion transport performance: 

The nanofluid ion transport properties of cellulose Electrospun Nanofbers were evaluated by ionic conductivity. Microfluid spinning effectively destroys the compact colloidal aggregates, causing the prepared Electrospun Nanofbers surface to twist into a denser network structure, forming a steady-state ordered arrangement, and forming micro-nano channels between the Electrospun Nanofbers. Due to the nanofluid effect, the ordered arrangement of the Electrospun Nanofbers channels produced promotes ion transport. The resulting ordered arrangement of the fiber channels promotes ion transport. The torsional effect increases the bonding between the Electrospun Nanofbers and tightens the Electrospun Nanofbers channels, thereby improving the ion transport performance. The conductivity of the prepared oriented crystalline cellulose fibers has super nanofluid ion conductivity, with a more excellent conductivity of 5.5 mS/cm. Its excellent conductivity makes it possible to apply biomass-based materials to nanofluidic devices.

This study demonstrates the great potential of nanochannels for applications in ion transport, especially in nanoscale ion transport, as a low-cost, sustainable, and high-ionic-conductivity nanofluid.

link：

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10570-024-05877-x?utm_source=xmol&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=meta&utm_campaign=DDCN_1_GL01_metadata