Playing with Chlorine-Based Post-modification Strategies for Manufacturing Silica Nanofibrous Membranes Acting as Stable Hydrophobic Separation Barriers

Minglun Li; Eva Loccufier; Jozefien Geltmeyer; Dagmar R. D’hooge; Klaartje De Buysser; Karen De Clerck

doi:10.1007/s42765-023-00335-y

Advanced Fiber Materials ›› 2023, Vol. 6 ›› Issue (1) : 145 -157. DOI: 10.1007/s42765-023-00335-y

Research Article

Playing with Chlorine-Based Post-modification Strategies for Manufacturing Silica Nanofibrous Membranes Acting as Stable Hydrophobic Separation Barriers

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Abstract

Highly stable hydrophobic silica-based membranes were successfully fabricated through chemical post-modification of directly electrospun silica nanofibrous membranes. Five different Si-alkoxy chlorides were tried as reagents at room temperature, allowing for an easy two-step production process. Trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) was determined as to be the most suitable modifier, for this purpose. The modified membrane exhibits long-term hydrophobicity even under high humidity and water submersion, maintaining this property after exposure to elevated temperatures and acidic conditions, surpassing the unmodified membrane. The separation effectiveness for immiscible water/solvent solutions was proven, followed by an investigation into the relation between the surface tension of some miscible water/solvent solutions and the resulting wetting behavior of the TMCS-modified membrane, to utilize the membrane as a process intensification tool, specifically as a solvent gate.

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Minglun Li, Eva Loccufier, Jozefien Geltmeyer, Dagmar R. D’hooge, Klaartje De Buysser, Karen De Clerck. Playing with Chlorine-Based Post-modification Strategies for Manufacturing Silica Nanofibrous Membranes Acting as Stable Hydrophobic Separation Barriers. Advanced Fiber Materials, 2023, 6(1): 145-157 DOI:10.1007/s42765-023-00335-y