Large-Scale Nanofiber Manufacturing| Fast and Massive Production of Aramid Nanofbers via Moleculentercalation

USTC Academician Yu Shuhong et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc.: 4 Minutes! Rapid, Large-Scale Preparation of Aramid Nanofibers

Challenge: Para-aramid nanofibers are among the latest high-performance materials at the nanoscale, attracting widespread attention due to their exceptional properties and ability to form highly porous solids. However, the scalable and sustainable production of these nanofibers faces significant challenges due to the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds and other interactions in aramid macromolecules, which require prolonged exposure to highly corrosive solvents.

Approach: Academician Yu Shuhong and Professor Guan Qingfang from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) utilized the unique efficient exfoliation of polymer nanocrystals to reduce the preparation time of para-aramid nanofibers by 2520 times (from 1 week to 4 minutes), while simultaneously increasing their concentration by 10-fold. Through this molecular intercalation-induced method, novel ribbon-like aramid nanofibers were successfully prepared.

Innovation 1: Multiscale simulations revealed that the exfoliation of nanofibers occurs through the intercalation of alcohols at the nano-interfaces.

Innovation 2: In pilot-scale trials, 1000 kg of nanofiber dispersion was successfully prepared within half an hour. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of efficiently recycling aramid into diverse multifunctional nanofiber composite materials.