TITLE:
Preparation of Janus Fabric by PVDF Electrospinning Technology and Its Unidirectional Water/Moisture Transportation Performance
AUTHORS:
Chuntao Wu, Omar Faruk, Qianhong Jin, Guobao Wang, Jindan Wu, Dongming Qi
KEYWORDS:
Unidirectional Water Transportation, Surface Wettability, Nanofiber, Hydrostatic Pressure
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Textile Science and Technology,
Vol.6 No.3,
August
21,
2020
ABSTRACT: Directional
fluid transport is of significance to many physical processes in nature. How to manipulate this process by
man-made material is still a key challenge to scientists. In this study, Janus
fabric was constructed by electrospinning a layer of polyvinylidene fluoride
(PVDF) nanofibers on woven cotton or gauze. The chemical composition,
morphology and surface wettability of two sides of Janus fabric were
characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and
contact angle measurement. By controlling the PVDF electrospinning time, the
maximum hydrostatic pressure of Janus fabric with different PVDF thickness was
measured. It was found that PVDF/gauze is more favorable for unidirectional
water transportation, and the moisture also can transfer from hydrophobic side
to hydrophilic side. With the advantages of facile preparation, low-cost and
one-way water/moisture transportation, the Janus fabric prepared in this study
can be applied for water separation, humidity transfer and water collection
from the air.