Graduation Year
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.E.E
Degree Name
MS in Electrical Engineering (M.S.E.E.)
Department
Electrical Engineering
Degree Granting Department
Electrical Engineering
Major Professor
Sylvia Thomas, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Delcie Durham, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Andrew Hoff, Ph.D.
Keywords
Electrospinning, Infrared, Life Cycle Analysis, Nanofiber Mesh, Thermally Reflective
Abstract
This work investigates the fabrication, process optimization, and characterization of cobalt oxide-antimony doped tin oxide (CoO-ATO) nanofibersusing polystyrene (PS) solutions with toluene orD-limonene as solvents. These nanofibers are produced by anelectrospinning process. Nanofibers are fabricated using polymeric solutions of CoO doped ATO and mixtures of PS: D-limonene and PS:toluene. PSis a base aromatic organic polymer, a non-toxic material, and a versatile catalyst for fiber formation. PSsolutions are made by mixing polystyrene beads and D-limonene or toluene at specific weight percentages. These polymeric solutions of PS: D-limonene and PS:toluene are then mixed with CoO-ATO at various weight percentages. The two solutions are electrospun and the best process parameters optimized to obtain nanofibers with limited beading. Process optimization is completed by analyzing how changes in the electrospinningexperimental set up impact nanofiber formation and production efficiency (speed of formation). CoO-ATO nanofibers are characterizedby scanning electron microscopy, hydrophobicity via contact angle measurements, and viscosity measurements. Additional analysis is conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of using two different solvents to fabricate the CoO-ATO nanofibers. In this project, I was able to successfully produce novel nanofiber membranes of CoO-ATOusing two different solvents. These investigations were conducted and nanofiberprocess optimized to provide a technological contribution to future industrial scaleproductions of thermally reflective materials.
Scholar Commons Citation
Devisetty Subramanyam, Manopriya, "Fabrication and Comparison of Electrospun Cobalt Oxide-Antimony Doped Tin Oxide (CoO-ATO) Nanofibers made with PS: D-limonene and PS: Toluene" (2014). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/5358
