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Prevention of mold invasion by eco-friendly lignin/polycaprolactone nanofiber membranes for amelioration of public hygiene

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Abstract

Herein, we fabricated highly porous and stretchable electrospun nanofiber membranes using eco-friendly lignin and polycaprolactone polymers, which efficiently prevent mold colonization and invasion in pine sapwood. Membranes of different thicknesses were tested against four species of mold. Membrane thicknesses of above 38 μm were found to completely prevent mold invasion during the 2- and 4-week cultivation periods. The membranes were characterized using various qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, including tensile tests. The optimized fabrication conditions were established to protect wood from mold growth and to accommodate the periodic expansion and contraction of wood without degradation. The mechanically strong and elastic nanofiber membranes enable an assessment of the membrane’s suitability and feasibility as an alternative to the existing wallpapers or paints.

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Acknowledgments

This work was primarily supported by the Industrial Strategic Technology Development Program (Grant 10045221) funded by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE, Korea). This work was also supported by the Global Frontier Hybrid Interface Materials (GFHIM) of NRF-2013M3A6B1078879, NRF-2012-Fostering Core Leaders of the Future Basic Science Program of NRF-2012H1A8003235 and the Commercializations Promotion Agency for R&D Outcomes (COMPA) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MISP). S.S.Y. expresses his thanks to the support made by King Saud University, Vice Deanship of Research Chairs.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea

      Seongpil An, Kyo Yong Song, Alexander L. Yarin & Sam S. Yoon

    2. Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea

      Joo Hyun Hong & Jae Jin Kim

    3. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607-7022, USA

      Min Wook Lee & Alexander L. Yarin

    4. Petrochemical Research Chair, Chemistry Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

      Salem S. Al-Deyab

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    1. Seongpil An
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    2. Joo Hyun Hong
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    3. Kyo Yong Song
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    4. Min Wook Lee
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    5. Salem S. Al-Deyab
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    7. Alexander L. Yarin
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    Corresponding authors

    Correspondence to Alexander L. Yarin or Sam S. Yoon.

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    Seongpil An and Joo-Hyun Hong have contributed equally to this work.

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    An, S., Hong, J.H., Song, K.Y. et al. Prevention of mold invasion by eco-friendly lignin/polycaprolactone nanofiber membranes for amelioration of public hygiene. Cellulose 24, 951–965 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-016-1141-5

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-016-1141-5

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