Conference Speakers

Avik Kumar Dhar

Ph.D. Student, University of Georgia

BIOGRAPHY

Innovative and results-driven Materials Scientist with extensive experience in materials characterization, synthesis, and development, backed by a robust academic and industrial experience for more than six years. Currently pursuing a PhD in Polymer, Fiber, and Textile Sciences at the University of Georgia focusing on the development of biodegradable blended melt blown non-woven and their structure-properties relationship for high performance filtration application. Previous academic achievements include a Master's and Bachelor's in Textile Engineering with the highest academic distinctions.

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Melt blown Nonwovens from Polylactic acid/Polyhydroxyalkanoate Blends for High-Efficiency Filtration Applications

"One of the major components utilized in the fabrication of respiratory protection equipment (RPE) against harmful aerosols (bio- and nano-aerosols), is nonwovens developed through melt-blowing technique. Most of the polymer resin used in melt-blown technology are petroleum-based, and polypropylene (PP) makes up more than 90% of the products developed in this method. Some of the advantages for PP are good processibility, relatively low cost and the technology is well developed with availability of wide range of resins. However, with increasing concern about the sustainability of PP and other petroleum-based polymers, there is a growing demand for more ecologically friendly polymers synthesized from renewable bio-based feedstocks for the melt-blown process, especially for the fabrication of filter media. The unique balance of durability in use and biodegradability at the end of their useful life makes poly (lactic acid) (PLA) a possible replacement of synthetic polymers derived from petroleum.

The present study aims to develop 100% PLA melt-blown nonwovens from commercially available fiber grade PLA resin, IngeoTM Biopolymer from NatureWorks LLC with high filtration efficiency, low-pressure drop, and good filter quality factors. Also, by blending a master batch (55/45-PLA/PHA) supplied by CJ Biomaterials, and 100% pure PLA, (95/5 and 90/10 PLA/PHA melt blown nonwovens have been developed using the 15cm wide pilot line facility under various processing conditions. The processability PLA as well as blends of PLA and PHA were evaluated. Also, effect of processing parameters, air velocity, melt/die temperature, throughout, and die-to-collector distance on structures and performances such as fiber diameter, mean pore size, air permeability, pressure drop, and filtration efficiency of the developed webs are being investigated. The effect of corona charging on performance, especially filtration efficiency is being investigated as well."