Synthesis of Li+-selective 14-crown ether (CE) having rigid and bulky subunits was reported. CE-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) dope solutions were electrospun. CEs were immobilized on PVA matrix via acid-catalyzed acetalization using novel aerosol method. Structures of new compounds and their immobilization to PVA were confirmed and characterized. Adsorption experiments show superior lithium capacity and selectivity among previously reported solid-supported CEs. Dihydroxy-dibenzo-14-crown-4 ether-PVA nanofiber membrane showed superior performance. This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and future Planning (2015R1A2A1A15055407) and Ministry of Education (2009-0093816).

• 로렌스 림주코(에너지환경융합기술연구소, 에너지융합공학과, 명지대학교, Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Center (E2FTC), Department of Energy and Science Technology (DEST), Myongji University) | Lawrence A. Limjuco
• 그레이스 니솔라(에너지환경융합기술연구소, 에너지융합공학과, 명지대학교, Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Center (E2FTC), Department of Energy and Science Technology (DEST), Myongji University) | Grace M. Nisola
• 러셀 갈라니도(에너지환경융합기술연구소, 에너지융합공학과, 명지대학교, Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Center (E2FTC), Department of Energy and Science Technology (DEST), Myongji University) | Russel Galanido
• 레이 토레호스(에너지환경융합기술연구소, 에너지융합공학과, 명지대학교, Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Center (E2FTC), Department of Energy and Science Technology (DEST), Myongji University) | Rey Eliseo C. Torrejos
• 김헌(에너지환경융합기술연구소, 에너지융합공학과, 명지대학교, Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Center (E2FTC), Department of Energy and Science Technology (DEST), Myongji University) | Hern Kim
• 서정길(에너지환경융합기술연구소, 에너지융합공학과, 명지대학교, Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Center (E2FTC), Department of Energy and Science Technology (DEST), Myongji University) | Jeong Gil Seo
• 정욱진(에너지환경융합기술연구소, 에너지융합공학과, 명지대학교, Energy and Environment Fusion Technology Center (E2FTC), Department of Energy and Science Technology (DEST), Myongji University) | Wook-Jin Chung corresponding author