Heat and moisture management in membranes containing magnetic field-induced oriented nanosurfaces

ABSTRACT

This work investigates how the orientation of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) affect the moisture and heat transfer of poly acryl amide membranes. In so doing, iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were deposited onto synthesized GO and rGO using the solvothermal method. Magnetic nanosheets were drawn to the through–plane direction of the prepared membranes by applying a magnetic field for different time lengths on the solution during casting. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (SEM), water vapor permeability (WVP), and dynamic heat transfer simulation apparatus were performed to detect the structures and characteristics of the nanosheets and membranes. The SEM confirmed the orientation of nanosheets in the magnetic field. The oriented polyacrylamide (PAAm)/mrGO membranes showed a higher transient temperature and WVP compared to the membranes with oriented and random GO. With an increase in the duration of the application of the magnetic field, the results of the above-mentioned tests improve. The oriented PAAm/mrGO membranes can have applications in wound dressing and protective clothing.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Graphene family
• magnetic field
• moisture and thermal management
• wound dressing
• protective clothing

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Smart Polymeric Structures Company (SPS co.) for providing row materials of this study.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rasoul Shemshadi

Rasoul Shemshadi is faculty member of Technical and Vocational University (TVU)

Shiva Khodayari

Shiva khodayari is industrial researcher

Seyed Reza Ghafarian

Seyed Reza Ghafarian is faculty member of Amirkabir Uni. of Technology

Mohsen Gorji

Mohsen Gorji is industrial researcher