Date of Last Revision
2023-05-02 18:54:27
Major
Chemical Engineering - Cooperative Education
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2016
Abstract
Superhydrophobic polystyrene nanofiber membranes have potential to separate micron scale water droplets from organic due to their hydrophobicity and small pore openings. Polystyrene nanofibers were electrospun into flat sheets and cylindrical filter membranes. The fibers were crosslinked to increase strength and reduce solubility in diesel fuel. The filters were tested and the filtration efficiency was compared to their non-crosslinked counterparts. The optimal electrospinning conditions to create superhydrophobic nanofibers were found to be 20 wt. % PS fibers at 1 mL/hr. under a current of 20kV and at a distance of 20 cm away from the ground. It was found that crosslinking the fibers had a positive effect on the filtration performance with the average efficiency being 91% compared to 80% for the non-crosslinked fiber mats.
Research Sponsor
Dr. George Chase
First Reader
Lingyun Liu
Second Reader
Bin-min Zhang Newby
Recommended Citation
Webel, Alisa G., "Separation of Water from ULSD using Superhydrophobic PS Nanofiber Mats" (2016). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 334.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/334