In this article, we will introduce nanofiber products that effectively utilize the “super specific surface area effect,” one of the properties of nanofibers.
The thinner the nanofiber is fabricated, the larger the surface area per unit weight becomes, resulting in superior properties such as “molecular recognition” and “absorption properties”. The result is the “super specific surface area effect”. It is believed that the van der Waals forces acting between atoms, ions, and molecules generate a strong attractive force, resulting in a ” strong absorption force over a large area”.
Compared to a hair of the same weight (about 50 microns), it has 100 to 10,000 times more surface area.
2 properties are described below.
External molecules easily recognize various functional groups in protein and DNA nanofibers, and polymeric nanofibers can differentiate between cells and small flowing molecules. Therefore, “high molecular recognizability leads to excellent sensing functions” and “nanofibers can be used as scaffolds for cells, facilitating the flow of nutrients”.
These properties and technologies will allow us to create
And other applications
By increasing the surface area, the absorption of gases, liquids, solids, and microorganisms increases by a factor of 100 to 10,000 times. As a result, it is possible to “adsorb a large number of ions (electric charges) on the electrode surface to create a capacitor or electrode with a large capacity” and “capture a large number of harmful chemical substances and dust to purify the air”.
AECC (Advanced Engineered Cementitious Composites), is a concrete with increased hardness and strength created by mixing nanofibers into ECC (Engineered Cementitious Composites), developed around the world over the past few years. AECC (Advanced Engineered Cementitious Composites) can be created by adding nanofibers to Engineered Cementitious Composites.
The features of AECC are as follows
Reinforced concrete is also considered effective for the construction of breakwaters, bridges, and erosion control dams for typhoons and hurricanes in global warming, as well as for tsunami countermeasures. If this technology can be widely used, it will eliminate reinforcing steel and steel frames, and as “concrete with a 1000-year lifespan,” it will change the future of architecture, construction, and building.
By utilizing nanofibers’ characteristic “super specific surface area effect,” new devices are being developed capable of evaporating seawater and producing fresh water. These systems will be a lifeline for island nations and remote islands where a stable water supply is a critical issue and freshwater is difficult to obtain. Furthermore, it is theoretically possible to simultaneously generate freshwater and electricity from seawater by using the highly concentrated brine generated in the process to generate osmotic power at the same time! Water and electricity, two of the lifelines of modern life, may be generated from seawater using nanofiber technology.
What did you think? This article introduced the functions of nanofibers as seen through the “super specific surface area effect. These functions are just one of the many possibilities of nanofibers. If you would like to know more about nanofibers, please take a look at the other articles on our website!