The effect of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid on the morphology and characteristics of electrospun PDA/PU nanofibers

In this study, the effect of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) on the fabrication of PDA/PU nanofibers was examined. The PDA/PU nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning PU and PCDA at different mixing ratios, followed by photopolymerization. The viscosity and conductivity of the spinning solution and the morphology of the fabricated nanofibers were analyzed. We also examined the chemical structure changes, physical structure changes, and color transition characteristics of PDA/PU nanofibers. The concentrations of the spinning solutions and the mixing ratio of PCDA and PU had significant effects on the viscosity of the spinning solution and the diameter and shape of the nanofibers. The optimum conditions for economic efficiency and the practicality of the fabrication of a PDA/PU nano-fibers were 12–14 wt% spinning solution and a ratio of PU to PCDA of 4 to 1 or greater. For these conditions, the viscosity was in the range of 225–290 cP, which resulted in the production of smooth, uniform PDA/PU nanofibers without beads. The diameters of the nanofibers ranged from 270 to 550 nm. The results of FT-IR, XRD and DSC analyses confirmed that the PCDA were well mixed with the PU molecules and were electrospun. The fabricated PDA/PU nanofibers exhibited color transition phenomenon by external temperature stimulation above 70 °C.