Facile fabrication and performance comparison of aramid-nanofiber membrane formed by water or ethanol

Favorable mechanical strength, thermal stability and transparency are important to polymeric composite membranes. Addressed herein is a facile fabrication and performance comparison of aramid nanofiber (ANF) membrane formed by water or ethanol. FTIR and XRD showed that no structural damage occurred in ANFs despite reduction in diameter. Both the two kinds of membrane demonstrated extraordinary thermal stability with a decomposition at above 500°C. High mechanical strength and different hydrophilic characteristics pave a way for expanding composites membranes with considerable attractive functionality. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2534–2538, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers