Thermoregulation of gas permeation in electrospun fiber membranes

Gas permeation reduction through a membrane with a heating is demonstrated experimentally for the first time. The fiber membranes were produced using an electrospinning technique, comprising three layers:  a middle layer of electrospun polystyrene sandwiched between two outer layers of electrospun cellulose acetate mats as supports, bonded together by hot pressing. The electrospun polystyrene layer was used for a phase change material that barriers transport of gases though the membrane when the fibers melt. The membranes exhibited the gas permeation reduction at temperatures over 140 °C. A blending of polysulfone into polystyrene resulted in an upward shift of the permeation decreasing temperature to 250 °C. The gas permeation reduction property of the membranes with a heating can be applied to combustion control, sensor, selective separation, etc.