Surface Functionalization of PEO Nanofibers Using a TiO2 Suspension as Sheath Fluid in a Modified Coaxial Electrospinning Process

C onvenient and integration fabrication process is a key issue for the application of functional nanofibers. A surface functionalization method was developed based on coaxial electrospinning to produce ultraviolet(UV) protection nanofibers. The titanium dioxide(TiO 2 ) nanoparticles suspension was delivered through the shell channel of the coaxial spinneret, by which the aggregation of TiO 2 nanoparticles was overcome and the distribution uniformity on the surface of polyethylene oxide(PEO) nanofiber was obtained. With the content of TiO 2 increasing from 0 to 3%(mass fraction), the average diameter of nanofibers increased from (380± 30) nm to (480±100) nm. The surface functionalization can be realized during the electrospinning process to gain PEO/TiO 2 composite nanofibers directly. The uniform distribution of TiO 2 nanoparticles on the surface of nanofibers enhanced the UV absorption and resistance performance. The maximum UV protection factor(UPF) value of composite nanofibers reaches 2751. This work presented a novel surface-functionalized way for the preparation of composite nanofiber, which has great application potential in the field of micro/nano system integration fabrication.