Airflow spun yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanofiber sponge for portable plasma / serum separation

Abstract

The invention provides a jet-spun yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanofiber sponge for portable plasma / serum separation, which has efficient plasma / serum separation performance, low hemolysis rate, high mechanical strength and good filtering efficiency, and is suitable for portable blood detection equipment. Zirconium n-propoxide and yttrium nitrate hexahydrate are used as precursors and are mixed with acetylacetone in ethyl alcohol, PVP is added, and stirring is performed to form a viscous solution. And micron fibers are spun through an airflow spinning device and are stacked into a porous sponge structure. And drying, pressurizing and densifying, and calcining at high temperature to remove organic components, thereby obtaining the pure white YSZ fiber sponge. The material overcomes the inconvenience of a traditional centrifugal method, has large-scale application potential, is uniform in fiber structure and high in porosity, and improves the blood separation efficiency and the material stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is directed to the field of YSZ nanofiber material manufacturing, particularly to the field of blood filtration function of YSZ nanosponge Background Art

[0002] Blood analysis plays a crucial role in medical diagnosis, especially in emergency and critical care settings. Rapid and accurate plasma / serum separation is crucial for timely patient treatment. Currently, blood separation relies primarily on centrifuges. While centrifuges are highly efficient at separating plasma and serum, they are bulky, complex to operate, and require a stable power supply, making them difficult to use in point-of-care (POCT) settings, such as outdoors, in ambulances, or in remote areas. Furthermore, centrifuges require specialized personnel to operate, increasing both the barrier to entry and the cost.

[0003] Existing portable blood separation technologies mainly rely on microfiltration membranes or fiber filter materials. However, these materials have many problems during the filtration process. Traditional microfiltration membrane materials are usually made of polymers. Although they have good filtration performance, their mechanical strength is low and they are prone to breakage or deformation during the filtration process, resulting in a decrease in filtration efficiency. Existing fiber filter materials mostly use inorganic micro-nano glass fibers. Although they have high mechanical strength, because the fibers are short and tightly arranged, they are prone to exposing too many fiber tips during the filtration process, causing red blood cells to be punctured and hemoglobin to leak into the serum, affecting the accuracy of blood analysis. In addition, the porosity and specific surface area of ​​these materials are low, resulting in slow filtration speeds, which are difficult to meet the needs of instant testing. In addition, some nanofiber materials have poor biocompatibility and are prone to react with blood components, causing blood cell inactivation or protein denaturation, affecting the accuracy of blood analysis.

[0004] In terms of material preparation, traditional inorganic micro-nanoglass fibers are typically produced through high-temperature melting and roller spinning. This process is not only energy-intensive but also poses significant safety risks, particularly during the high-temperature treatment and roller spinning of the molten glass slurry, which can easily lead to operational accidents. Furthermore, the fibers produced by traditional methods are short and densely packed, which can easily expose excessive fiber tips during filtration, potentially puncturing red blood cells and compromising filtration effectiveness. Furthermore, traditional materials are prone to clogging during filtration, reducing filtration efficiency and increasing maintenance costs.

[0005] Therefore, a new blood filtration material is needed that can maintain high filtration efficiency while also possessing excellent mechanical strength, low hemolysis rate, and high porosity to meet the requirements of portable blood separation devices. YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) nanofibers, due to their excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability, and biocompatibility, are an ideal choice to address these challenges. Through innovative air-spinning technology, YSZ nanofibers can form a highly interwoven three-dimensional network structure, significantly improving filtration efficiency and mechanical strength while overcoming the safety risks associated with traditional preparation methods, making them suitable for large-scale application in portable blood separation devices. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention significantly solves the problem of tip exposure of inorganic micro-nano glass fibers in traditional commercial blood filter sponges, reduces the risk of tips piercing red blood cells during plasma / serum separation, ensures that the filter element has low hemolysis, and reduces damage to blood components during the filtration process.

[0007] The present invention has a high porosity and specific surface area through a unique three-dimensional structure, which can effectively improve the filtration speed and filtration efficiency. More blood can pass through the unit area and is suitable for real-time detection scenarios.

[0008] The invention has excellent mechanical strength, can withstand greater physical pressure and impact, ensures the stability of the filtering effect, and prolongs the service life of the filter element.

[0009] The present invention utilizes the marginal slip effect of micro-nano-scale fibers to significantly reduce serum fluid resistance, making the filtration process smoother and further improving the filtration speed and effect.

[0010] The present invention has good biocompatibility and will not react or form bonds with red blood cells during the filtration process, thereby ensuring the efficiency and safety of blood treatment.

[0011] This invention separates the spinning process and the high-temperature heating process, greatly improving the safety of the production process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the preparation process of YSZ nanofiber blood filtration sponge.

[0013] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of YSZ nanofiber blood filtration sponge.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a microscopic schematic diagram of the SZ nanofiber blood filtration sponge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Experimental Group 1 Figure 1The figure is a schematic diagram of the preparation process of the YSZ nanofiber blood filter sponge. The YSZ nanofiber blood filter sponge based on airflow spinning was prepared according to the following method: First, zirconium n-propoxide solution and acetylacetone were mixed with yttrium nitrate hexahydrate (Y(NO3)3·6H2O) in ethanol at a mass ratio of 4:1. A magnetic stir bar was placed in a reagent bottle and stirred continuously at room temperature for 2 hours. Then, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added to the solution at a concentration of 8 wt%, and stirring was continued for 2 hours to obtain an orange-yellow, transparent, viscous precursor solution. Next, 6 ml of the above precursor solution was injected into a syringe and injected at a solution propulsion rate of 1.8 ml / h and a gas flow rate of 3 m 3 The precursor sponge was prepared by air-spinning at 45% humidity and 25°C at a flow rate of 100 rpm and a relative humidity of 45%. The accumulated precursor fibers in the mold were collected and then placed in a drying oven, where a pressure of 2 N was applied for densification and drying. Finally, the treated precursor sponge was heated in a high-temperature box furnace at a heating rate of 5°C / min to 800°C, then held at 800°C for 200 minutes and allowed to cool naturally to obtain the YSZ nanofiber sponge.

[0016] Experimental Group 2 The YSZ nanofiber blood filtration sponge based on air-spinning was prepared as follows: First, zirconium n-propoxide solution and acetylacetone were mixed with yttrium nitrate hexahydrate (Y(NO3)3·6H2O) in ethanol at a mass ratio of 4:1. A magnetic stir bar was placed in a reagent bottle and stirred continuously at room temperature for 2 hours. Then, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added to the solution at a concentration of 7 wt%, and stirring was continued for 2 hours to obtain an orange-yellow, transparent, viscous precursor solution. Next, 6 ml of the above precursor solution was injected into a syringe and injected at a solution propulsion rate of 1.8 ml / h and a gas flow rate of 3 m 3 The precursor sponge was prepared by air-spinning at 45% humidity and 25°C at a flow rate of 100 rpm and a relative humidity of 45%. The accumulated precursor fibers in the mold were collected and then placed in a drying oven, where a pressure of 2 N was applied for densification and drying. Finally, the treated precursor sponge was heated in a high-temperature box furnace at a heating rate of 5°C / min to 800°C, then held at 800°C for 200 minutes and allowed to cool naturally to obtain the YSZ nanofiber sponge.

[0017] Experimental Group 3 The YSZ nanofiber blood filtration sponge based on air-spinning was prepared as follows: First, zirconium n-propoxide solution and acetylacetone were mixed with yttrium nitrate hexahydrate (Y(NO3)3·6H2O) in ethanol at a mass ratio of 4:1. A magnetic stir bar was placed in a reagent bottle and stirred continuously at room temperature for 2 hours. Then, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added to the solution at a concentration of 8 wt%, and stirring was continued for 2 hours to obtain an orange-yellow, transparent, viscous precursor solution. Next, 6 ml of the above precursor solution was injected into a syringe and injected at a solution propulsion rate of 0.43 ml / h and a gas flow rate of 3 m 3 The precursor sponge was prepared by air-spinning at 35% humidity and 20°C at a flow rate of 1000 rpm and a relative humidity of 35%. The accumulated precursor fibers in the mold were collected and then placed in a drying oven, where a pressure of 5 N was applied for densification and drying. Finally, the treated precursor sponge was heated in a high-temperature box furnace at a heating rate of 5°C / min to 800°C, then held at 800°C for 200 minutes and allowed to cool naturally to obtain the YSZ nanofiber sponge.

[0018] Experimental Group 4 The YSZ nanofiber blood filtration sponge based on air-spinning was prepared as follows: First, zirconium n-propoxide solution and acetylacetone were mixed with yttrium nitrate hexahydrate (Y(NO3)3·6H2O) in ethanol at a mass ratio of 4:1. A magnetic stir bar was placed in a reagent bottle and stirred continuously at room temperature for 2 hours. Then, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added to the solution at a concentration of 6 wt%, and stirring was continued for 2 hours to obtain an orange-yellow, transparent, viscous precursor solution. Next, 6 ml of the above precursor solution was injected into a syringe and injected at a solution propulsion rate of 1.6 ml / h and a gas flow rate of 3 m 3 The precursor sponge was prepared by air-spinning at 35% humidity and 20°C at a flow rate of 1000 rpm and a relative humidity of 35%. The accumulated precursor fibers in the mold were collected and then placed in a drying oven, where a pressure of 2 N was applied for densification and drying. Finally, the treated precursor sponge was heated in a high-temperature box furnace at a heating rate of 5°C / min to 800°C, then held at 800°C for 200 minutes and allowed to cool naturally to obtain the YSZ nanofiber sponge.

[0019] Experimental Group 5 The YSZ nanofiber blood filtration sponge based on air-spinning was prepared as follows: First, zirconium n-propoxide solution and acetylacetone were mixed with yttrium nitrate hexahydrate (Y(NO3)3·6H2O) in ethanol at a mass ratio of 4:1. A magnetic stir bar was placed in a reagent bottle and stirred continuously at room temperature for 2 hours. Then, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added to the solution at a concentration of 6 wt%, and stirring was continued for 2 hours to obtain an orange-yellow, transparent, viscous precursor solution. Next, 6 ml of the above precursor solution was injected into a syringe and injected at a solution propulsion rate of 1.6 ml / h and a gas flow rate of 3 m 3 The precursor sponge was prepared by air-spinning at 35% humidity and 20°C at a flow rate of 1000 rpm and a relative humidity of 35%. The accumulated precursor fibers in the mold were collected and then placed in a drying oven, where a pressure of 2 N was applied for densification and drying. Finally, the treated precursor sponge was heated in a high-temperature box furnace at a heating rate of 5°C / min to 800°C, then held at 800°C for 200 minutes and allowed to cool naturally to obtain the YSZ nanofiber sponge.

[0020] Experimental Group 6 The YSZ nanofiber blood filtration sponge based on air-spinning was prepared as follows: First, zirconium n-propoxide solution and acetylacetone were mixed with yttrium nitrate hexahydrate (Y(NO3)3·6H2O) in ethanol at a mass ratio of 4:1. A magnetic stir bar was placed in a reagent bottle and stirred continuously at room temperature for 2 hours. Then, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added to the solution at a concentration of 6 wt%, and stirring was continued for 2 hours to obtain an orange-yellow, transparent, viscous precursor solution. Next, 6 ml of the above precursor solution was injected into a syringe and injected at a solution propulsion rate of 1.6 ml / h and a gas flow rate of 3 m 3 The precursor sponge was prepared by air-spinning at 35% humidity and 20°C at a flow rate of 1000 rpm and a relative humidity of 35%. The accumulated precursor fibers in the mold were collected and then placed in a drying oven, where a pressure of 2 N was applied for densification and drying. Finally, the treated precursor sponge was heated in a high-temperature box furnace at a heating rate of 5°C / min to 800°C, then held at 800°C for 200 minutes and allowed to cool naturally to obtain the YSZ nanofiber sponge.

[0021] In the above technical solution, the solvent of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) can be selected from one of ethanol, water, etc., or a combination of two or more thereof; PVP is used as a polymer solute of the precursor solution, and different concentrations of PVP can be selected; the zirconium source can be zirconium n-propoxide, and the yttrium source can be yttrium nitrate hexahydrate, etc.

Claims

1. A YSZ nanofiber sponge having a three-dimensional structure, which can enable it to have higher porosity and specific surface area.

2. A YSZ nanofiber sponge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solvent of the polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) can be selected from one of ethanol, water, etc., or a combination of two or more thereof; PVP is used as a polymer solute of the precursor solution, and different concentrations of PVP can be selected; the zirconium source can be zirconium n-propoxide, and the yttrium source can be yttrium nitrate hexahydrate, etc.

3. A YSZ nanofiber sponge according to claim 1, 2, characterized in that: The precursor fiber is a flexible nanofiber prepared by air-spinning technology.

4. A YSZ nanofiber sponge according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that: The drying process applies a certain pressure to achieve densification.

5. A YSZ nanofiber sponge according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: A high temperature of 800℃ produces YSZ.

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