Correlation model for fiber diameter of the electro-spun membrane using KGM (1,N) model for nanofiltration

Abstract

Nanofiltration is an important application for electro-spun fiber as it is well characterized by fine fiber diameter, huge density, high penetrability, and flexibility. In this paper, the poly-acrylonitrile fiber diameter is determined experimentally by varying four factors such as voltage, flow rate, the distance between spinneret and collector, and mass fraction in the electrospinning process. The fiber diameter is measured through SEM analysis. A highly accurate kernel-based non-linear multivariable grey model, KGM (1, 1) model is used for the prediction of nanofiber diameter for filtering particulate less than 500 nm. This is proved to be better when compared to the grey model first order one variable and multivariable grey model. Based on simulated outcomes, filtration membranes are prepared and tested for filtration efficiency for the airborne particles relating its air permeability, porosity and quality factor.