Shear-electrospinning: extending the electrospinnability range of polymer solutions

Electrospinning is recognised as an easily implementable method for the production of submicron-diameter polymer fibres. However, electrospinning is problematic for polymers such as biologically derived materials because of their higher viscosity. In this study, a new spinneret design applies shear...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of materials science 2016-07, Vol.51 (14), p.6686-6696
Hauptverfasser: LeCorre-Bordes, Deborah, Tucker, Nick, Huber, Tim, Buunk, Neil, Staiger, Mark P.
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Electrospinning is recognised as an easily implementable method for the production of submicron-diameter polymer fibres. However, electrospinning is problematic for polymers such as biologically derived materials because of their higher viscosity. In this study, a new spinneret design applies shear forces to the polymer solution just prior to electrospinning. The efficacy of shear-electrospinning is proven using concentrated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) solutions as a model, with solutions designed around the various concentration regimes of PVOH, initially identified via rheological studies. Conventional electrospinning of solutions up to 16.8 wt% PVOH and viscosity in the order of 10¹ Pa s leads to the formation of ribbon-like fibres. In contrast, shear-electrospinning produces fibres finer in diameter, rounder in cross-section and smoother. Finally, fibre formation from solutions that are non-electrospinnable under conventional electrospinning is shown for the first time to be achievable via shear-electrospinning as demonstrated for a 30 wt% PVOH solution. A new shearing spinneret design is proposed to improve the electrospinnability of high-viscosity polymers. Concentration regimes of partially hydrolysed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) are identified and the electrospinning of highly concentrated solutions is reported. The new design allows production of finer submicron-diameter fibres for solutions that would electrospin microfibers with the conventional set-up, and makes solutions that would normally not electrospin amenable to electrospinning.
ISSN:0022-2461
1573-4803
DOI:10.1007/s10853-016-9955-y