Melt Blown Cross-linked Fibers from Thermally Reversible Diels-Alder Polymer Networks

ORAL

Abstract

Melt blowing is a process in which liquid polymer is extruded through orifices and then drawn by hot air jets to produce nonwoven fibers. Melt blown nonwovens constitute more than 10% of the $50 billion global nonwovens market. Thermoplastic feedstock, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly(butylene terephthalate), have dominated melt blown nonwovens because of their combined cost, good chemical resistance and high-temperature performance. Cross-linked nonwovens from other commodity polymers (e.g., (meth)acrylates, styrenics, silicones, etc.) could be attractive alternatives; however, no commercial cross-linked nonwovens currently exist. Here, cross-linked fibers were produced via one-step melt blowing of thermoreversible Diels-Alder polymer networks comprised of furan- and maleimide-functional methacrylate-based polymer backbones. These dynamic networks decross-link and flow like viscous liquids under melt blowing conditions, then revert to a network via cooling-induced cross-linking during/after melt blowing. Finally, the resulting cross-linked fibers can be recycled because of their reversible dynamic nature, which may help address the microfiber pollution problem.

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Presenters

  • Kailong Jin

    Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota

Authors

  • Kailong Jin

    Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota

  • Sung-Soo Kim

    Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota

  • Jun Xu

    Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota

  • Frank Bates

    Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Chemical Engineering and Material Science, University of Minnesota, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota

  • Christopher Ellison

    Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota