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Electrospun cellulose nitrate nanofibers
Steven Nartker1, Lawrence T Drzal
1Michigan State University, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Composite Materials and Structures Center, 2100 Engineering Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|December 8, 2010
Summary
Electrospinning cellulose nitrate solutions created submicron fibers. Fiber morphology and alignment were controlled by solvent systems and collector type, impacting nonwoven mat characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cellulose nitrate is a versatile polymer with applications in various fields.
- Electrospinning is a promising technique for fabricating polymer nanofibers.
- Controlling fiber morphology is crucial for tailoring material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrospinning of cellulose nitrate.
- To evaluate the effect of different solvent systems on fiber formation.
- To determine the influence of collector type on fiber morphology and mat structure.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of cellulose nitrate solutions using two solvent systems: ethanol/acetone and tetrahydrofuran/N,N-dimethylformamide.
- Utilizing two collector types: a void gap collector for aligned fibers and a rotating steel drum coated with polyvinylidene dichloride (PVDC) for random fiber mats.
- Characterization of fiber morphology using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM).
Main Results:
- Submicron-sized cellulose nitrate fibers (100-1200 nm) were successfully produced via electrospinning.
- The ethanol/acetone solvent system yielded fibers with larger diameters compared to the THF/DMF system.
- The void gap collector resulted in aligned fiber mats, while the PVDC-coated rotating drum produced randomly oriented fibers.
- Increased solution viscosity led to an increase in fiber diameter.
Conclusions:
- Solvent system and collector type are critical parameters in controlling cellulose nitrate fiber morphology and mat architecture.
- Aligned cellulose nitrate nanofiber mats can be fabricated using a void gap collector.
- Randomly oriented mats are achievable with a PVDC-coated rotating drum collector, facilitating fiber harvesting.
