Antifouling Membranes Prepared by Electrospinning Polylactic Acid Containing Biocidal Particles
摘要
This chapter explores the development, influencing factors, and applications of antifouling membranes based on polylactic acid (PLA) incorporated with biocidal particles. The chapter highlights electrospinning as a key fabrication method due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high controllability, enabling the creation of membranes with nanometer-scale fibers and tailored properties. PLA, valued for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and environmental friendliness, serves as an ideal base polymer for these antifouling membranes, which are enhanced by the incorporation of biocidal particles like silver nanoparticles, zinc oxide, and natural biocidal agents. The chapter summarizes various factors that affect the performance of PLA/biocidal particle composite membranes, such as polymer concentration, electrical conductivity, solvent composition, temperature, humidity, and applied voltage during the electrospinning process. These factors influence the morphology, diameter, and overall effectiveness of the resultant membranes. Applications of these antifouling membranes are diverse, spanning from food packaging, where they help extend the shelf life of products, to medical masks and wound dressings that benefit from their biocidal and biodegradable properties. Additionally, the membranes show promise in controlled drug release, tissue engineering, air purification, and water treatment, making them versatile tools in addressing contemporary challenges in health, environment, and industry.