Hierarchical fibrous microfiltration membranes by self-assembling DBS nanofibrils in solution-blown nanofibers

A novel hierarchical nanofibrous membrane was demonstrated via in situ self-assembly of 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene-D-sorbitol (DBS) supramolecular fibrils in solution-blown polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers. The formed DBS fibrils were interconnected into networks and anchored onto the PAN nanofibers, which decreased the pore sizes and enhanced the mechanical properties, the filtration efficiency, and particularly the flux.