Preparation of Perfluorosulfonate Ionomeric Hollow Thin Fibers by Two-Fluid Electrospinning

In the present study, perfluorosulfonate ionomer (Nafion (R)) fibers were prepared by electrospinning an aqueous solution containing Nafion, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The fiber diameter increased from 400nm to 1.8 um with increasing TEOS content. In addition, Nafion hollow fibers were prepared by a two-fluid electrospinning of two immiscible liquids (sheath liquid: Nafion solutions containing PVA and TEOS; core liquid: heavy mineral oil) through a coaxial spinneret, followed by selective removal of the core. The core diameter and wall thickness could be controlled by varying the TEOS content and the flow rate of the spinning solution. Polyelectrolyte fibers and hollow fibers can be used for high-functional separation materials, catalysts, micro-tubular fuel cells, micro-fluidic devices, and high-capacity membrane modules for water treatment.