Layer-by-layer self-assembly of aramid nanofibers on nonwoven fabric for liquid filtration

The composite ultrafiltration membranes were fabricated by self-assembling the aramid nanofibers (ANFs) on nonwoven fabric (NF) via layer-by-layer technique. Different numbers of ANFs layers (8, 10, 12) have been self-assembled on the NF. The surface morphology, surface wettability, tensile strength, and filtration performance of as-prepared composite membranes were investigated. The results demonstrated that the surface assembled NF with the deposition of ANFs could improve their hydrophilicity and mechanical properties. The filtration experiments indicated that the composite membranes could efficiently remove the nanoparticles from water system. When the number of ANFs layers reaches 12, 10 nm Au nanoparticles can be removed from the feed solution with a rejection rate above 90%. This work presents the feasibility of liquid filtration by using the ANFs self-assembled composite membranes, which exhibits a potential application in ultrafiltration. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2411–2419, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers