%0 journal article
%@ 0021-9797
%A Homaeigohar, S.S., Elbahri, M.

%D 2012
%J Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
%N 1
%P 6-15 
%R doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2012.01.012
%T Novel compaction resistant and ductile nanocomposite nanofibrous microfiltration membranes
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2012.01.012
1 
%X The compressive and tensile results obtained through nanoindentation and tensile tests, respectively, implied an optimum mechanical properties after incorporation of zirconia nanoparticles. Especially compaction resistance of the electrospun nanofibrous membranes improved significantly as long as no agglomeration of the nanoparticles occurred and the electrospun nanocomposite membranes showed a higher tensile properties without any brittleness i.e. a high ductility. Noteworthy, for the first time the compaction level was quantified through a nanoindentation test. In addition to obtaining a desired mechanical performance, the hydrophobicity declined. Combination of promising properties of optimum mechanical and surface chemical properties led to a considerably high water permeability also retention efficiency of the nanocomposite PES nanofibrous membranes. Such finding implies a longer life span and lower energy consumption for a water filtration process.