Electrospun Nanofibrous Membrane with Cross-Linked Surface Modifier

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically adjusting electrospinning parameters (voltage, flow rate, collector distance) and polymer solution characteristics (concentration, molecular weight, solvent type) to precisely control fiber diameter and pore size distribution. By optimizing these parameters, the membrane achieves consistent sub-0.2 μm pore sizes while maintaining manufacturability through established electrospinning processes.

The patent employs composite materials by combining electrospun nanofibers with supporting substrates (such as porous polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene) to create a hierarchical composite structure. This composite approach enables precise pore size control in the nanofibrous layer while providing mechanical strength and structural stability from the support layer, resolving the contradiction between retention performance and manufacturing precision.

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating functional groups (such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) directly into the polymer solution before electrospinning. This pre-functionalization approach allows the nanofibers to be formed with inherent adsorption capabilities, eliminating the need for subsequent complex chemical grafting steps and reducing overall process complexity while maintaining high adsorption capacity.

The patent extracts the functionalization step from the post-processing stage and integrates it into the electrospinning formulation itself. By selecting polymers or additives that provide functional groups natively (such as chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, or polymer blends with functional moieties), the process removes the need for separate chemical modification steps, thereby simplifying the overall device fabrication while preserving adsorption functionality.

The patent employs composite materials by combining physically absorbed functional groups with cross-linking agents or covalent bonding mechanisms to create a hybrid functionalization approach. This composite strategy maintains the ease of physical absorption methods while enhancing attachment durability through additional bonding interactions, ensuring that functional groups remain stable on the membrane surface under various operational conditions.

The patent applies the principle of creating a cross-linked network structure that provides durable attachment points for functional groups. By forming a three-dimensional cross-linked matrix within the nanofibrous membrane, the functional groups are anchored in a stable structural framework that prevents detachment, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the simplicity of physical absorption methods.