Session: PMSE/POLY Poster Session:

Inspired by the metaxylem in vascular plants and its vertical conduits and horizontal pits that enable efficient transpiration, this research introduces two polymer-nanocomposites with similar architectures for high surface area related applications. A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) / graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) / carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based sensor with multilayer structure is fabricated through a 3D printed multichannel spinneret via fiber spinning. By controlling the rheological behavior of the polymer solution, a continuous hollow core is spontaneously formed (i.e., capable of inline gas transportation). Three distinct layers shelter this hollow core, namely (i) a porous inner layer for radial gas diffusion, (ii) an electrical conducting middle layer for VOC sensing, and (iii) a mechanically robust outer layer for long term stability. The highly porous structure enabled a low limit of detection (e.g., approximately 15 ppm for xylene) as well as vibration, stress, and strain sensing capability for the inline gas transportation system. Also, manufactured through wet phase inversion and extrusion, a similar structure with transparent polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) core and porous PMMA/TiO₂ shell demonstrates performance enhancement for water purification efficiency. The degradation rate of contamination is observed to be proportional to the increased surface area of the shell layer, reaching a maximum rate of 0.116 min^-1. Both works show potential scalable fabrication methods useful for surface area-determined applications in polymer nanocomposites.

Figure 1. (a) Metaxylem structure in a vascular plant. The fabrication processes of (b) hollow TPU based inline organic solvent sensor and (c) UV transmitting PMMA core-shell fibers for water purification.

Figure 1. (a) Metaxylem structure in a vascular plant. The fabrication processes of (b) hollow TPU based inline organic solvent sensor and (c) UV transmitting PMMA core-shell fibers for water purification.

Yuxiang Zhu

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