Improving polymer nanofiber quality using a modified co-axial electrospinning process
Author(s)
Author(s)
Yu, D.-G.
Branford-White, C.
White, K.
Chatterton, N. P.
Zhu, L.-M.
Date Issued
2011
Publisher
Wiley-VCH
Journal
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
Volume
32
Issue
9-10
Start page
744
End page
750
Abstract
Based on a modified coaxial electrospinning process and suitable selection of solvent mixtures as sheath fluid, a new strategy is presented for systematically improving polymer nanofiber quality. A concentric spinneret with an indented inner capillary is designed for the modified coaxial electrospinning. With a solution of 12% w/v PVP K60 in ethanol as the core electrospinning fluid, six solvents are used as sheath fluids to investigate the impact of solvent properties on the resultant PVP nanofiber quality. The PVP nanofiber quality is closely related to solvent physical-chemical properties. High quality PVP nanofibers of average diameter 130 ±10 nm with homogeneous structures and smooth surfaces are created using a solvent mixture of acetone, ethanol and DMAc in the ratio of 3:1:1(v/v/v).
SFU Affiliated Publication
No
Availability at SFU Library
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