Porosity determinations of electrospun nanofibers by microscopy techniques

Identifier:  TFM:750

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM750

Authors:  Martínez Cánovas, Paula

Abstract:
Porous micro- and nanofibers can be produced easily by electrospinning technique. In this research proposal, we review the literature on porous electrospun nanofibers, the mechanisms to create internal porous electrospun fibers and its applications in different fields, ranging from oil sorption to sensors, lithium-ion batteries, photocatalysis and drug delivery. The previous characterization methodologies (such as physical nitrogen adsorption method (BET), mercury intrusion and thermoporometry) are analyzed alongside with their drawbacks. Our proposal aims to overcome the limitations of the previous characterization methodologies in order to determine the porosity of electrospun nanofibers (intra-fiber porosity) with the combination of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).