Dynamic heat and moisture transfer in bulky PAN nanofiber mats

In this study a non-conventional electrospinning technique was designed for the production of high bulky polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber mats. Optimum nanofiber mats are achieved with 15 wt.% solution of PAN in dimethylformamide. Such mats result in a bulk porosity which is as high as 99.9 and a density as low as 0.84 × 10⁻³ g/cm³. The effect of the porosity of nanofiber mats on the air permeability and coupled heat and moisture transfer of fibers was investigated. Based on the results, high bulky nanofiber mats possess high heat and moisture transfer. Experimental data reveal that upon a slight decrease in the bulk porosity, air permeability and heat transfer decrease noticeably, while moisture transfer variation is low.