Optimising the electrospinning process conditions to produce polyvinyl alcohol nanofibres Online publication date: Fri, 31-Jul-2009
by F. Samani, M. Kokabi, M. Rezazadeh Valojerdi
International Journal of Nanotechnology (IJNT), Vol. 6, No. 10/11, 2009
Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a semi-crystalline, hydrophilic polymer with reasonable physical and mechanical properties which has broadly practical applications. Ultra fine PVA fibres which have potential applications in filtration and biomedical engineering could be produced by electrospinning. In this work the process conditions to produce PVA nanofibres were optimised and the effects of various variables such as electric voltage, tip to target distance, flow rate and solution parameters on the morphology of nanofibres were investigated. The mechanical properties of fibre mats such as Young's modulus and tensile strength were also evaluated. The results showed that the fibre diameter and morphology were significantly affected by these parameters. The fibre diameter was in the range of 300-500 nm which is decreased with increasing the tip to target distance and electric voltage. It is also reduced with lessening flow rate and solution concentration.
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