University of Minnesota

Cummins Filtration Ip, Inc.

Zaifei Wang

Frank Steven Bates

Christopher Ward Macosko

Christopher E Holm

William C Haberkamp

Kan Wang

Dawud H Tan

Soondeuk Jeung

Feng Zuo

Described herein is a continuous process for modifying the properties of polyester and polyester based fibers, such as a poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) fiber, comprising subjecting the PBT fiber to alkaline hydrolysis, and optionally further comprising functionalizing the PBT fiber by solution grafting such as fluorination. The alkaline hydrolysis and optionally subsequent functionalization such as fluorination process can be continuous, following the melt blowing/spinning or spun-bonding process. Also described is a nonwoven PBT fiber mat obtained by the surface modification process. Further described is a filtration device comprising the nonwoven PBT fiber mat.

Tuning surface properties of melt blown polyester fibers by hydrolysis and solution grafting

Methods for preparing composite non-woven fibers-in-fibers, otherwise referred to as composite polymeric fibers having an island-in-sea morphology, are described. The composite polymeric fibers may be prepared by a method that includes melt-blowing a blend of a first polymer and an immiscible second polymer to form the composite polymer fibers. The first polymer forms a matrix that surrounds the second polymer. Typically, the second polymer forms nanofibers within the matrix of the first polymer. The composite polymeric fiber may be treated with a solvent that selectively dissolves the matrix of the composite polymeric fiber and that does not dissolve the nanofibers of the composite polymeric fiber, and the nanofibers then may be collected for further treatment or use.

Non-woven fibers-in-fibers from melt-blown polymer blends

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Zaifei Wang