Electrospun PVDF-HFP/MgO nanofiber composites: influence of MgO nanoparticles content on nanostructure, thermal, mechanical, and surface characteristics Asnan Rinovian (a, e*), Muhamad Nasir (b), Muhammad Ali Zulfikar (c), Swasmi Purwajanti (d), Nugraha (a, d), Nurrahmi Handayani (c), and Muhammad Amin (e)
a) Master Program in Nanotechnology, Institut Teknologi Bandung (Bandung, 40132, Indonesia)
*asna002[at]brin.go.id
b) Research Center for Environmental and Clean Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (Bandung, 40135, Indonesia)
c) Department of Chemistry, Institut Teknologi Bandung (Bandung, 40132, Indonesia)
d) Department of Engineering Physics, Institut Teknologi Bandung (Bandung, 40132, Indonesia)
e) Research Center for Mining Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (Lampung, 35361, Indonesia)
Abstract
PVDF-HFP/MgO nanofiber composites have been successfully synthesized using the electrospinning process. The successful synthesis of the PVDF-HFP/MgO nanofiber composites was confirmed through XRD, FTIR, and SEM analyses. In the XRD results, distinct peaks were observed at diffraction angles of 42.80° and 62.27° in the PVDF-HFP/MgO nanofiber composites sample, corresponding to the diffraction angles of the MgO nanoparticles. The FTIR results exhibited an absorption band at a wavenumber of 667 cm-1, indicating the stretching vibration of Mg-O bonds. The morphology of pure PVDF-HFP nanofibers consisted of straight primary fibers, which were extremely fine and continuous, showing no bead formation, although the uniformity was not consistent. With an increase in MgO content in the nanofiber composites, the diameter of the nanofibers decreased. TGA demonstrated that the addition of MgO increased the degradation temperature of the nanofibers. However, the incorporation of nano MgO into the nanofibers led to a decrease in their tensile strength and contact angle with water. The pure PVDF-HFP nanofiber exhibited a tensile strength of 6.26 ± 0.25 MPa. In comparison, the PVDF-HFP/MgO nanofiber composites at concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30% displayed respective tensile strength values of 4.59 ± 0.43, 3.07 ± 0.14, and 1.32 ± 0.04 MPa. The pure PVDF-HFP nanofiber displayed hydrophobic characteristics with a water contact angle of 134.3° (±2.89). The introduction of MgO nanoparticles decreased the contact angle value, causing water droplets to wet the membrane more quickly. These findings collectively indicate that the presence of MgO in the nanofiber composites allows for control and adjustment of their nanostructure, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, and surface characteristics. These features lay the groundwork for potential applications of PVDF-HFP/MgO nanofiber composites. One noteworthy application suggested by the observed characteristics is the utilization of these composites as adsorbents for pollutants in both liquid and gas environments.
